Checkerboard Approach Old HKG Video
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Checkerboard Approach Old HKG Video
The old Kai Tak airport was made famous by its "Checkerboard approach". Enjoy some spectacular views of the old Hong Kong airport. I flew this many time in the B747 and it was as wild as it looks 
Enjoy,
James
Enjoy,
James
Last edited by Jtwpilot; 15th Apr 2011 at 14:31. Reason: Typo
Nemesis of the Proot Dynasty
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Wasn't the checkerboard also used as a rainwater chute into a large tank on the ground??
Last edited by Lukeafb1; 15th Apr 2011 at 16:01. Reason: Typo
Ah yes, the Good Old Days.
Over Cheung Chau NDB to Stonecutters NDB and follow the lead lights through RW locator to the threshold. Interestingly those flashing lead in lights were the only lights allowed (by local law) to flash in Kowloon.
Then there were the harbour curcuits - break off from the ILS 31 and circle for 13 at rather low level inside the harbour confines.
So much fun and games in a B707 when we were all a lot younger and sillier.
Over Cheung Chau NDB to Stonecutters NDB and follow the lead lights through RW locator to the threshold. Interestingly those flashing lead in lights were the only lights allowed (by local law) to flash in Kowloon.
Then there were the harbour curcuits - break off from the ILS 31 and circle for 13 at rather low level inside the harbour confines.
So much fun and games in a B707 when we were all a lot younger and sillier.
Apart from my initial arrival at Kai Tak in Mar '67, when I was blissfully unaware of the approach to be flown and was sitting in the back of an RAF Argosy ex Changi & Siagon, I went circuit bashing with the Argosy and later Hercules, crews on many occasions. The Argosy was my favourite 'cause I could lie on the floor by the glass nose door and take a series of photos of the approach.
One of the Argosy training captains (Peter C*&^$h) was an absolute whizz at flying a very smooth approach up to the chequerboards and I asked him how he did it.
"Well, I fly straight at the chequerboard and when I think - Jesus, this is close - I haul the aircraft round and there we are".
The other place to be was beneath the chequerboards and there were some good photos to be had. Standing at 'Stinkey's Corner' as the jets went overhead was also fairly dramatic.
Old Duffer
One of the Argosy training captains (Peter C*&^$h) was an absolute whizz at flying a very smooth approach up to the chequerboards and I asked him how he did it.
"Well, I fly straight at the chequerboard and when I think - Jesus, this is close - I haul the aircraft round and there we are".
The other place to be was beneath the chequerboards and there were some good photos to be had. Standing at 'Stinkey's Corner' as the jets went overhead was also fairly dramatic.
Old Duffer
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Kai Tak Inside the Harbour Circling to RW13.
mustafagander;
The RW13 " inside the harbour " circling approach off the ILS for RW31 appears to have been something of a Cathay secret as your mention of it is the first I have seen on KAI TAK nostalgia. I did it for years as one only had to ask ATC for the circling approach and permission was always granted subject to traffic. There were a few extra things to think about but easily worth the effort.
I never did it at night ( wish I had now ) as the 180 degree DESCENDING turn back onto RW13 with the chequer board hills nearby was just a little intimidating. ATC banned it about the time the Tristar was introduced.
Prince of Dzun.
The RW13 " inside the harbour " circling approach off the ILS for RW31 appears to have been something of a Cathay secret as your mention of it is the first I have seen on KAI TAK nostalgia. I did it for years as one only had to ask ATC for the circling approach and permission was always granted subject to traffic. There were a few extra things to think about but easily worth the effort.
I never did it at night ( wish I had now ) as the 180 degree DESCENDING turn back onto RW13 with the chequer board hills nearby was just a little intimidating. ATC banned it about the time the Tristar was introduced.
Prince of Dzun.
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Old Duffer
"Well, I fly straight at the chequerboard and when I think - Jesus, this is close - I haul the aircraft round and there we are".
.. and I thought my old Dad was a bit more professional!!
Brian (C*&^$h)
"Well, I fly straight at the chequerboard and when I think - Jesus, this is close - I haul the aircraft round and there we are".
.. and I thought my old Dad was a bit more professional!!
Brian (C*&^$h)
RADAC,
If your Dad is the holder of the AFM and his birthday is 29 June 1923, then he IS the ultimate professional - let there be no doubt of it!
In those days, when one hit 47, you stopped flying and lost your flying pay. Many ex-flyers went air traffic. Your dad used to say: 'Everytime they tell me I've got to go air traffic, I get this ttttt erible stut stut stutter'.
Old Duffer
PS: and he's good egg to boot
If your Dad is the holder of the AFM and his birthday is 29 June 1923, then he IS the ultimate professional - let there be no doubt of it!
In those days, when one hit 47, you stopped flying and lost your flying pay. Many ex-flyers went air traffic. Your dad used to say: 'Everytime they tell me I've got to go air traffic, I get this ttttt erible stut stut stutter'.
Old Duffer
PS: and he's good egg to boot
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There was a time when you could walk through the park, pick up a cold six-pack from the kiosk, climb the steps to sit half way up the checkerboard and watch the jets close by in the turn to finals.
Where else could come close?
Where else could come close?
There was a time when you could walk through the park, pick up a cold six-pack from the kiosk, climb the steps to sit half way up the checkerboard and watch the jets close by in the turn to finals.
Where else could come close?
Where else could come close?
The video refers to the system being put in place in the early 70's, but I certainly recall the chequerboard from Shackleton days in the 60's, and I am pretty sure there was a localizer/DME fitted then as well.