best-likead approaches
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Joined: Sep 2004
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From: SLF, living somewhere East in the West
best-liked approaches
Hi there,
I am in no means a pilot, just curious in aviation matters. Based in the US I sometimes go to DC Reagan national and just love the approach along the river and the great view on the Mall and the heart of DC (just flew in during the cherry blossom peak - spectacular). Now I wonder - do pilots enjoy it as well or is it just stressfull to do that approach. What approaches to which airports do you enjoy, which ones not?
Thanks
I am in no means a pilot, just curious in aviation matters. Based in the US I sometimes go to DC Reagan national and just love the approach along the river and the great view on the Mall and the heart of DC (just flew in during the cherry blossom peak - spectacular). Now I wonder - do pilots enjoy it as well or is it just stressfull to do that approach. What approaches to which airports do you enjoy, which ones not?
Thanks
Last edited by grimmrad; 2nd May 2006 at 18:28.
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Disgusted of Tunbridge
Disgusted of Tunbridge
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Hampshire, UK
Hong Kong whichever airfield, the old and the new are lovely. Seychelles is something special- sheer gaspingingly nice. Mauritius great too. San Francisco incredibly scenic approach (coming in from the north). LAX for sheer hysterical business, and scenic, but barely time to look, Anchorage because of its special light (and scenery), and Alicante because it means I'm arriving on holiday!
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: 39N 77W
The approach to runway 19 at KDCA has good sightseeing, expecially if you are on the port side of the aircraft. But it's probably a stressful approach for pilots. The HAVE to stay over the river to avoid prohibited areas and there is a 30-degree turn about one mile from touchdown. That's at less than 500-ft altitude most of the time. http://tinyurl.com/fkwjk
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: USA
Yes, we do love the various approaches. Rwy 19 @ DCA, while demanding, is really, really scenic from up front. Most of us really enjoy the various approaches, for instance, like the Expressway Visual to 31 at LGA.
Again, while demanding, most of us enjoy the challenge, especially as it relates to approaches different from the typical 3 degree, straight-in approaches which we do ad nauseum.
And btw, I have heard there are guys out there who no longer enjoy the things we see, like sunrises, sunsets and spectacular cloud formations, but I have yet to fly with one!
'Hope this answers your question!
Skywerd
Again, while demanding, most of us enjoy the challenge, especially as it relates to approaches different from the typical 3 degree, straight-in approaches which we do ad nauseum.
And btw, I have heard there are guys out there who no longer enjoy the things we see, like sunrises, sunsets and spectacular cloud formations, but I have yet to fly with one!
'Hope this answers your question!
Skywerd
Ohcirrej
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From: This is the internet FFS.........
Not so much favorite, but certainly memorable was in a 777 landing at Grenada. Went abeam the airfield in a right hand downwind over the water at about 5000ish feet. I remember looking out the window thinking "Ain't no way we're landing on that!!!". Then I thought "And they certainly ain't no way we're getting out" 
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From: fairly close to the colonial capitol
While KLAS during west ops is pretty cool - my favorite (in a smaller craft) is still MTH - Marathon Florida - either direction - I do admit, knowing I'm in for some fun, fishing, lovely shrimp bisque and a fresh fish sandwich might add to the appeal.
River visual into DCA is indeed very nice
- and as a young lad, I've found myself sitting by the Potomac watching those aircraft approaching 19 and found the dramatic turn close in fascinating as well
River visual into DCA is indeed very nice
- and as a young lad, I've found myself sitting by the Potomac watching those aircraft approaching 19 and found the dramatic turn close in fascinating as well
Last edited by vapilot2004; 6th May 2006 at 08:25.
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Have to agree with 5150 - the 10 steep approach into LCY has to be one of THE great approaches anywhere now that Kai Tak is long gone. There's something en route to spot for everyone: The Oval (cricketers), Victoria and Waterloo Stations (trainspotters), Buckingham Palace (Royal watchers), Houses of Parliament (politicos), the London Eye (BA Shareholders), the GPO tower (ageing hippies), Westminster Abbey and St Pauls (religious) and the Tower of London (historians) before the dirty dive through (well, above for safety's sake) the tower blocks of Canary Wharf.
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Disgusted of Tunbridge
Disgusted of Tunbridge
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Hampshire, UK
I used to enjoy Philadelphia back in the 80s- the long approach over the river with all those reserve ships moored up- battleships like the Ohio and carriers and cruisers by the bagload, all just parked there. Fascinating. The Caribbean is good- Barbados, Grenada, Antigua....knowing a big cold rum punch is shortly to meet its maker!
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: London
St Bartholomey in a Twin Otter takes some beating.
Agree with the rest re: LCY, DCA, SFO, PHL. The Canarsie approaches to JFK's 13L or R can sometimes have a few thrills and spills. Almost any approach into LGA, SAN, plus EDI from the east and LPL from the west also have nothing to be ashamed about. Finally, there's INN.
Agree with the rest re: LCY, DCA, SFO, PHL. The Canarsie approaches to JFK's 13L or R can sometimes have a few thrills and spills. Almost any approach into LGA, SAN, plus EDI from the east and LPL from the west also have nothing to be ashamed about. Finally, there's INN.
