Simviation Forums

Hi there. Why did they say that Kai Tak was the hardest airport to land on? I was just wondering.

While I haven't tried it (heck - for me, even Meigs is a "difficult approach"), one of the reasons is the "checkerboard hill" .

When landing from the land side, the land rises sharply.  Aircraft have to come in parallel to the mountain range, slowing down, "dirty" and then make a 90-degree turn.

It's not "that" bad with a smaller airplane - but coming in after 8-9 hours of flight in a 747, well.... let's say that with the winds coming in from the sea, and swirling around the mountains ... there have been some interesting videos of 747s swerving as they land, engine pods scraping, etc.  Not to mention, of course, that if you run out of runway, you suddenly have a boat...that doesn't float too well.

Take a look at the real Kai Tak on the net (plenty of photos out there), you are literally flying between the buildings and doing with a 747 what would give a naval aviator a nervous breakdown in the landing stakes (no tailhook or arrestor cables!).

Well put Ozzy, just ask me for my story one day!  :'(

[quote]Well put Ozzy, just ask me for my story one day!

Flaps? What are flaps

Hey thanks guys, i didnt even knowyou could fly Kai Tak in FS9 LOL

One more question...

What is the ''checkerboard approach''?

The checkerboard approach is the overland approach. You fly towards a Red and White checkerboard on the side of a hill and turn at the last minute onto the runway heading. Hence the pictures of 747s landing sideways .... on one wheel etc etc etc.

This is Checkerboard Hill.


Here's a couple of the landings Eno mentioned.



I didn't resize the photos. I found them & more like them here. http://www.bobrathbone.com/mtr.htm

Download RollerBall's Kai Tak scenery & you can try it for yourself.