Beautiful airports
Join Date: Nov 1999
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There's a dirt strip next to a lake in texas. Had to do a low pass in my C150 to get the animals out of the way first. Then I took off and chased a speedboat along the lake at 20 feet. Allegedly.....
Time merchant
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Belgium
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Punta Carna in the Dominican Republic has a beautiful looking terminal with a thatched roof of all things, but to answer the original question "can an airport be functional and look good?" It would seem not. Last time there we had to queue for an eternity both in and out to give some grumpy old duffer $10.
At least it looks better than Barbados which earlier posters have mentioned and where you will also queue for more than an hour for the pleasure of being welcomed to the island.
At least it looks better than Barbados which earlier posters have mentioned and where you will also queue for more than an hour for the pleasure of being welcomed to the island.
Niuafo'ou (aka Tin Can Island) in the Tongan Group. Caution, rock outcrops on the south edge of the (grass)runway, but add to the overall landscaping effect. The ARP lat/long is about 2nm out (but last survey was about 1840, year, not time....). Side surfaces are infringed by palm trees...
Called Tin Can 'cos there's no landing for ships, and they used to deliver/pick up the mail by throwing it in the sea in tin cans...
Called Tin Can 'cos there's no landing for ships, and they used to deliver/pick up the mail by throwing it in the sea in tin cans...
Join Date: Apr 2001
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Singapore - by miles the best airport I have seen. Very cosy for the pax and as a crew I like the phrase at night: Taxi to gate xxx - follow the greens... No fiddling with the airport charts required... 
Join Date: Jun 2001
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Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Terminal is a dump but the taxy out to Rwy 02 and the sunset over the South China Sea almost makes the job seem worthwhile .... sometimes!
Join Date: Nov 2000
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Berne, Switzerland, just nice 'chocolate box' airport
Koh Samui, Thailand, caution giant gold Buddha on approach
Siem Riep, Cambodia, very pretty terminal and grounds
Koh Samui, Thailand, caution giant gold Buddha on approach
Siem Riep, Cambodia, very pretty terminal and grounds
Paxing All Over The World
In South Africa, on the Indian Ocean coast, there is a small field outside the town of Plettenberg Bay (PBZ, I think). Just about the max a/c is the J41 (but don't quote me).
The strip is on the top of a headland with a tiny building and minimal facilities. The good part is that, if you mess up, you would find the land falling away rather than getting closer but the upward moving air, from the side of the headland are very strong.
As you taxi to the stand, the meeters and the new pax are looking at you from about 50' away, in the car park, over a mesh fence that is only normal height. Very relaxed.
The views on departure/arrival are brilliant. From the ocean, over the coastal region to the foothills of the Dragensberge. The literal translation is: Dragon Mountains as they look as spiky as a Dragon's spine would be!
The best view I had was inbound to the field, jump seating in a J41 with my nephew driving. Bliss.
The strip is on the top of a headland with a tiny building and minimal facilities. The good part is that, if you mess up, you would find the land falling away rather than getting closer but the upward moving air, from the side of the headland are very strong.
As you taxi to the stand, the meeters and the new pax are looking at you from about 50' away, in the car park, over a mesh fence that is only normal height. Very relaxed.
The views on departure/arrival are brilliant. From the ocean, over the coastal region to the foothills of the Dragensberge. The literal translation is: Dragon Mountains as they look as spiky as a Dragon's spine would be!
The best view I had was inbound to the field, jump seating in a J41 with my nephew driving. Bliss.
Join Date: Jun 2001
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Call me biased, but the new Athens International, Eleftherios Venizelos is great........and don't just take my word for it.
In the latest IATA survey of Passengers (Remember them.?? ---- SLF, aka the Punters who pay all our wages) voted Athens the best Airport Globally, yes globally, in the 10-15 Millionpax per annum bracket. Not bad when you think what the old Hellenikon toilet was like.
From the heaven of the Greek Islands, to the hell of the Greek Airports.!! All changed now.
Oh, by the way, it's staffed with some gorgeous black eyed beauties...... sigh.!
In the latest IATA survey of Passengers (Remember them.?? ---- SLF, aka the Punters who pay all our wages) voted Athens the best Airport Globally, yes globally, in the 10-15 Millionpax per annum bracket. Not bad when you think what the old Hellenikon toilet was like.
From the heaven of the Greek Islands, to the hell of the Greek Airports.!! All changed now.
Oh, by the way, it's staffed with some gorgeous black eyed beauties...... sigh.!