Well, gentlemen,
this time I decided to try an even more challenging landin. The closed Kai Tak airport at Hong Kong. Summarizing I had to tell you that I have failed...3 times...
Not because I never land a 747, but this approach is a really challenging one:
I have never done an approach from 4500'. Also never done a turn at the end of the glide slope, when you do nothing but concentrate on the perfect touchdown...
The plan looks like after the chart:
We will intercept CH VOR on radial 270 at 8000', then descend to 6000' when turn right to 45, while continue the descend to 4500'. Then we will intercept KL localizer in a very short time and turn right to 88, while still descending to 4500'. Then somewhere over the new Hong Kong int'l airport we will start our final approach from 4500' As we descending a funny checkerboard appearing in front of us, painted on a hill side, guiding us to target. When we are only 2 miles of touchdown point, scratching the roof tops, we make a 50 degrees turn to the right and makes a fine touchdown... Then lets see!
Preparations, before takeoff. I was programming the FMC to do this short flight:
Everything is ready, so lets do it !:
After rolling, there is a steep left turn to avoid mountains. The city looks stunning behind us:
With a short climbing we were already heading to the initial point. While climbing to 8000' we were passing over the (new Hong Kong) Chek Lap Kok Int'l Airport - VHHH. I can tell you there is an AI Concorde down there, covered by the aircraft body:
Still climbing. Passing the city, and take a look at the playground. You can see that small hill next to the stadium. So that is the target on final approach
Procedure started over CH VOR. VHHH airport is in the background:
Turning toward the glide slope at 6000':
We are coming. At 4500' its time to turn off the autopilot ! Rock&Roll...:
Ready for landing...raising heartbeats:
In the 50 degrees (!!!) turn toward the runway...wow, look at those buildings! Poor citizens down there...:
For 1st try I forgot to turn off the autothrottle...:$...and turned a little late...it was too late and too high:
For 2nd try I turned off the autopilot but somehow turned too early. It was too low at the end, and right of the runway...:
For 3rd try I concentrated the best. Speed was OK, level was OK, turning point was OK...but miss again...to the left:
After 3 unseccessful try and 3 go-around I decided to give up. Maybe some flight hours later with more experience of the B747 I will try it once more.
Challenge is up to you!
Good bye Hong Kong.
