KAI TAK
I still miss Kai Tak. Chep Lap Kok is boring!
I flew into Kai Tak about 50 times before it closed and I always arranged for a window seat on the right, for the spectacular view of Kowloon rooftops during the final descending turn.
On one flight in a CX 777 from Tokyo, I realized it would be my last flight into Kai Tak before it closed. So I gave my business card and PPL to the purser and I was subsequently invited to the flight deck for the landing.
The crew were a couple of friendly Brits with excellent CRM skills. The FO was the PNF so he gave me the safety briefing before descent - "... and if Pete here stuffs it up and we end up in the harbour, your life jacket is under your seat." No Asian power distance issues there!
The approach was spectacular as expected, but the thing that surprised me was the sight-picture as the main wheels touched down. I had previously seen landings from 737 jump seats and I knew the 777 cockpit height would be higher, but it felt to me like we were 100' up.
Anyone interested in Kai Tak should definitely listen to this Radio Clyde documentary:
http://www.pprune.org/fragrant-harbo...ml#post7828875
I flew into Kai Tak about 50 times before it closed and I always arranged for a window seat on the right, for the spectacular view of Kowloon rooftops during the final descending turn.
On one flight in a CX 777 from Tokyo, I realized it would be my last flight into Kai Tak before it closed. So I gave my business card and PPL to the purser and I was subsequently invited to the flight deck for the landing.
The crew were a couple of friendly Brits with excellent CRM skills. The FO was the PNF so he gave me the safety briefing before descent - "... and if Pete here stuffs it up and we end up in the harbour, your life jacket is under your seat." No Asian power distance issues there!
The approach was spectacular as expected, but the thing that surprised me was the sight-picture as the main wheels touched down. I had previously seen landings from 737 jump seats and I knew the 777 cockpit height would be higher, but it felt to me like we were 100' up.
Anyone interested in Kai Tak should definitely listen to this Radio Clyde documentary:
http://www.pprune.org/fragrant-harbo...ml#post7828875
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Beyond the Blue Horizon
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I also was lucky enough to do a cockpit landing at Kai Tak in the 1980,s in a Cathay 747. We landed just before a Typhoon closed the airport. I was told by the crew there was an award for the last plane in before a Typhoon shut the airport - I think it was a Gold plate from memory, and they were mildly annoyed that on this day there were 2nr A/C behind us so they would not qualify !. Maybe some CX / HK ATC guys could confirm this, as it was a long time ago. New airport is ok, but just not as dramatic, god I do miss that approach !.
Regards
Mr Mac
Regards
Mr Mac
Join Date: Jun 2010
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Great place, based there with Air Hong Kong with the 747 freighters for a couple of years, from before CX took over, when the company offices were a walk around to the other side of the runway!
Join Date: Mar 2006
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Security?
I was on a BCAL flight in 1983. I was travelling with my wife of 6 weeks who was working down the back. While on a Dubai stopover I had chatted up the flight deck about the famous approach into Kai Tak. And so I was invited up. I was surprised to find another civilian up there. He announced he was BCAL security and was going to investigate a run of thefts from the bonded storage. Oh said I, surprised, " I thought you must be here because we are picking Princess Ann up in Dubai on the way back". Three heads nearly fell off their necks as they snapped round. Very disconcerting as the chequer board was looming large. I had picked up the info on a visit to the Flight ops office to get approval for the visit.
Join Date: Jul 2000
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Story that an RN Scimitar squadron flew ashore to Kai Tak in the early sixties. Only RAF Venoms base there. Squadron Leader challenged Squadron to drop a sonic boom on the airfield. Done and caused panic in Kowloon and many broken windows. RN in the clear as the RAF gentleman had authorised the flight.
Done and caused panic in Kowloon and many broken windows
We did think it was one of the new Hunters that caused it though.
