This will be probably one of the shortest but most interesting legs. One can cross from Macao to Hong Kong by road, either through China mainland or through the huge bridge I mentioned previously. However, one can also use a plane. What we can do in simulators is land at the iconic Kai Tak airport, closed and demolished in real life in 1998. This airport was one of the most dangerous in the World due the lack of instrumental approach from the North and the visual landing over residencial buildings. From 1912 till 1980s it was adequate for the region. However, during 1980s and 1990s, Hong Kong lived a huge expansion of residential and commercial areas, to the point that the airport was surrounded by denser and taller areas. It became the third airport in the World in volume of passengers and cargo, which created noise and pollution issues. Therefore, it was decided to close it after building the current Hong Kong International Airport.
It has been so iconic that it is kept at simulators as an optional airport (as Meigs Field, at Chicago). And I cannot let this opportunity pass by, so I take off from Macao, enjoying another taxiway on a bridge, and keep a very low altitude towards Cheung Chau island, where the NDB used for visual approach to Kai Tak is located.
From here, I pass to full manual control and fly towards the next NDB, right at the city, from where a right turn in descent leads to the runway. Everything happened too fast, but I had time to take some pictures.
Amazing approach and landing. Definitely I will come back with an airliner. And now, let's think about the next leg.
------
DALU SOKO CHEUNG-CHAU
VMMC 301630Z 18012KT 9999 FEW015 30/27 Q1005 NOSIG
VHHH 301630Z 19007KT 160V240 9999 FEW016 30/25 Q1006 NOSIG
No comments:
Post a Comment