Photo from Kai Tak Airport in Hong Kong

[GON]

Came across this photo on Facebook and thought worthy of sharing, as Kai Tak Airport in Hong Kong is no longer an airport. This picture was taken in 1989. I wasn't aware United flew to Hong Kong in 1989. Google search uncovered United purchased Pan Am's pacific routes in 1985- I thought the purchase by United was much later than that.

The former Kai Tak Airport in Hong Kong has been transformed into an urban park that serves as a public space for residents and visitors. The park covers an area of 2.82 hectares and is located at the end of the former runway1.

 

[ctechbob]

Famous for having one heckuva an approach and departure procedure.

 

[GON]

Famous for having one heckuva an approach and departure procedure.

Picture of the runway at Kai Tak:

 

[Jetronic]

Picture of the runway at Kai Tak:
View attachment 251590

bird bath?

 

[Astro14]

I’ve flown the IGS (not ILS, IGS, it was unique) to runway 13 in Kai Tak in a 747-400. Hong Kong was one of my favorite places to take the big jet, and that approach was part of the reason. It was a challenging turn from final approach course to the runway when low over Kowloon. “Follow the lights” was not as simple as it might have appeared. The jets were low, and I mean low, right over the city as they made the turn to the runway.

Here is a decent collection of pictures.


https://thepointsguy.com/news/crazy-landings-at-kai-tak-airport/

 

[Astro14]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kai_Tak_Airport

 

[GON]

I’ve flown the IGS (not ILS, IGS, it was unique) to runway 13 in Kai Tak in a 747-400. Hong Kong was one of my favorite places to take the big jet, and that approach was part of the reason. It was a challenging turn from final approach course to the runway when low over Kowloon. “Follow the lights” was not as simple as it might have appeared. The jets were low, and I mean low, right over the city as they made the turn to the runway.

Here is a decent collection of pictures.


https://thepointsguy.com/news/crazy-landings-at-kai-tak-airport/

The pictures in the link are awesome and incredible- thanks for posting the link.

 

[Sandstorm]

My buddy is a captain for United. He has told me many stories about Kai Tak approach and landing. He said it was one of the most challenging approaches and landings for any captain especially with the cross-wind landings.

 

[c502cid]

And I thought landing at San Diego got close to buildings.......

 

[Sandstorm]

And I thought landing at San Diego got close to buildings.......

San Diego airport is pretty straightforward landing except one parking structure that has been there and has blocked the views for pilots. They've tried to get rid of it but they haven't been able to.

 

[4WD]

The pictures in the link are awesome and incredible- thanks for posting the link.

Man, I keep mesmerizing at the B744 and B748i and think that’s my last - then we booked another

 

[Averroes]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kai_Tak_Airport

Greatest livery United ever had.

Was too young to have ever gone to Kai Tak, but no doubt it was a special airport.

IGS (instrument guidance system) approach to runway 13 was something else from what I’ve seen.

 

[sw99]

Awesome photos, thanks for posting! I need to see if I have any from when I was there in 1995.

 

[A310]

Joined Dragonair in November, 1998. Just missed it by 4 months, only flew the IGS in the sim.

 

[Averroes]

Joined Dragonair in November, 1998. Just missed it by 4 months, only flew the IGS in the sim.

Nice. Who are you with now and what equipment do you fly?

 

[A310]

Nice. Who are you with now and what equipment do you fly?

I took early retirement in 2016 and moved to Kelowna, not flying for anyone.

 

[Averroes]

I took early retirement in 2016 and moved to Kelowna, not flying for anyone.

Congrats on the retirement.

Still mind sharing what you use to fly? Guessing a A310 was in the mix?

 

[Number_35]

I took early retirement in 2016 and moved to Kelowna, not flying for anyone.

Very nice place, congratulations!

 

[A310]

Congrats on the retirement.

Still mind sharing what you use to fly? Guessing a A310 was in the mix?

Thanks, before the airlines I flew up in Northern Canada, 180/185 floats and skis, Navajo, T-1040, Beech 99, Metro 2, Caravan. Airlines I flex 727-100 for Fedex, 727-200 for Qatar Airway, A320/A330 for Dragonair for 18 years. Was a 28 year run as a commercial pilot. P.S. No A310 in the mix, just liked the aircraft.

 

[A310]

Very nice place, congratulations!

Thanks, was a lot of fun.