KLM lands in typhoon in Hong Kong
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Sydney Australia
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Kai Tak memories.
Despite it's challenges Kai Tak had a remarkably good safety record. Perhaps this had something to do with the amount of manual flying that was encouraged in that era?
And I still remember that fun right turn at the checker-board on the hill, and peering down the wing into the apartments. Not so fun was one landing when at around 100 ft the air conditioning sucked in that sweet smell of sewage. For some reason it was particularly bad that day. Yuk!
Join Date: Jun 2007
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Matelo
I was lucky and did get to fly a Kai Tak approach in the cockpit on CX 747 during an approaching typhoon in mid 8o,s. Crew were great and fully explained the approach and how they were going to cope with both the heavy rain and wind. All eyes forward looking for that Chequer board though that day as it came out of the cloud / mist /rain ! They put it down hard and taxied to gate no problem. All wanted to go to Aero Club to watch other approaches, (normal procedure then apparantly for some) but only 2 other A/C got in before airport shut, so beers were taken elsewhere.
Never did Concorde, although a colleague who then did quite a bit, always complained seats were too small, and his knees rubbed seat in front (6ft 2 ex Rugby player) so his knickname became "Concorde Knee" in the business.
Cheers
Mr Mac
I was lucky and did get to fly a Kai Tak approach in the cockpit on CX 747 during an approaching typhoon in mid 8o,s. Crew were great and fully explained the approach and how they were going to cope with both the heavy rain and wind. All eyes forward looking for that Chequer board though that day as it came out of the cloud / mist /rain ! They put it down hard and taxied to gate no problem. All wanted to go to Aero Club to watch other approaches, (normal procedure then apparantly for some) but only 2 other A/C got in before airport shut, so beers were taken elsewhere.
Never did Concorde, although a colleague who then did quite a bit, always complained seats were too small, and his knees rubbed seat in front (6ft 2 ex Rugby player) so his knickname became "Concorde Knee" in the business.
Cheers
Mr Mac
Join Date: Jun 1999
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I remember my first flight to Kai Tak and looking forward to the famous approach and landing. We came in from the other end!!! I did subsequently make a couple of Chequer Board landings, although not in the F/D. I can however lay claim to a cockpit Concorde JFK CANARSIE departure (and LHR landing) on what was my one and only Concorde flight. What I missed in my (pax) flying life was the Bristol Britannia and the VC-10.
