This airport closed in 1998 and was replaced by the new Hong Kong Intl (HKG). Because it was close to skyscrapers and hills, pilots had to do an irregular approach to runway 13, turning just before a hill covered in a checkered pattern, hence the name "checkerboard approach". Here's a video of a 747 following the approach, taken from the checkered hillside:
I've been here a number rof times as a passenger, usually transiitioning to ground transpo for trips into mainland China. One of the best airports in the world for transiting visitors .. food, shopping, great transport down town, etc.
I welcomed the recent addition of Meigs, hopefully we might also see the "old" VHHH (Kai Tak) with the famous "Checkerboard" approach to runway 13? Been there and done that too.
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XingR: Kai Tak is in the system now:
http://www.ourairports.com/airports/X-VHHX/
This airport closed in 1998 and was replaced by the new Hong Kong Intl (HKG). Because it was close to skyscrapers and hills, pilots had to do an irregular approach to runway 13, turning just before a hill covered in a checkered pattern, hence the name "checkerboard approach". Here's a video of a 747 following the approach, taken from the checkered hillside:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtnL4KYVtDE
I've been here a number rof times as a passenger, usually transiitioning to ground transpo for trips into mainland China. One of the best airports in the world for transiting visitors .. food, shopping, great transport down town, etc.
I welcomed the recent addition of Meigs, hopefully we might also see the "old" VHHH (Kai Tak) with the famous "Checkerboard" approach to runway 13? Been there and done that too.