Favourite Airports and Approaches

Gingerme · Post by **Gingerme** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 7:33 pm

Hi all!

Just wanted to start of a thread to do with Airports or peoples favourite approaches either real world or simulated, UK or the world. Could it be the long gone checkerboard approach at Hong Kong? Could your favourite airport be your local airfield? Could it be the most hairy experience at an approach at an airfield in real life?

To get the ball rolling, my favourite approach is mainly using the approach at the new Hong Kong Intl, (Simulated) mainly because of the low hills at the east of the airport (very dodgy approach especially with typical FS ILS and Low clouds, and heavy traffic). Favourite real world airport has to be Southend, home of practically any aircraft that needs a good repaint, home of the airshow, and home of my local flying club! Couldnt be any better!

Please dont ignore this as a random poll, as in fact it isnt, just why not share what your favourite airports are? Real life or simulated?

Thanks for your time

Redbaron · Post by **Redbaron** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 8:47 pm

I liked the Checkerboard approach at Hong Kong as well. Innsbruck is also an enjoyable one, as you get some great views on approach. My local airport (Sheffield City) has a pretty dull approach but nevertheless enjoyable to fly of course!

Speedbird083 · Post by **Speedbird083** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 11:32 pm

With the IGS to Kai Tak gone I think Madeira is probably one of the most challenging.

Post by **martinhodgson** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 7:54 am

Madiera is challenging
Innsbruck is scenic, with and can also be challenging, though FS can't really recreate the wind and atmospheric conditions!

Gingerme · Post by **Gingerme** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 11:43 am

I've heard that Denver Intl is quite a tough airport at times, especially as it would reknown for its Microburst, and windshear activity, which has lead to numerous accidents, all down to the location of it being in the rocky mountains creating some strange weather conditions. I do not envy those pilots who have to fly in the airport, especially in bad weather!

Redbaron · Post by **Redbaron** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 11:44 am

Gingerme wrote: I do not envy those pilots who have to fly in the airport, especially in bad weather!

I do!

djhedge · Post by **djhedge** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 11:50 am

In real life, the Heathrow approach is good from Europe - flying in over the Thames. Hopefully with the new flight sim, it will be just as good on a simulator!

Post by **martinhodgson** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 11:58 am

London City is better than LHR - same city, excpt with the added challenge of a much steeper approach (5Âº as opposed to 3Âº everywhere else) and the fact you get to dodge inbetween buildings on final approach:

Thrashin · Post by **Thrashin** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 5:45 pm

On the rare occasions that I motivate myself to break out the flight sim, I am very fond of flying to Palma de Mallorca. When coming from the Uk and Europe, you fly round the northwest of the island before turning 90 degrees inland for the runway which starts just after the sea finishes...

I love those pics of London City by the way!

Post by **codrivermike** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 9:02 pm

The main airport I'm flying in and out of with MSFS is Princess Juliana TNCM in the Netherlands Antilles. There's a download available from avsim. Fantastic scenery and that famous approach over the beach. I havn't tried it with the heavy stuff yet though.

BR7MT · Post by **BR7MT** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 9:10 pm

Off topic - that large window underneath the HSBC logo. I've been in there!

Quite wierd watching the aircraft take off from London City and point straight at you when the wind is strong and in a certain direction!

Regards,

Dan

mattys · Post by **mattys** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 11:18 am

For Short haul, Innsbruck is fab, except when its snowing and you realise that you are in cloud with mountains up to 14000 feet within 2 miles on both sides... And the visual into Nice was fun. Noones mentioned San Francisco but its always spectacular, probably the departure more, because they take you straight over the golden gate for noise reasons. Also Seattle on a clear day is very pretty as is Vancouver. Departure from Sydney if they are on northerlies is nice too. But for me the best is Dawn over table mountain coming into Cape Town.

Now i have to go to one of my least favourites. LAX

Gingerme · Post by **Gingerme** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 12:45 pm

Departure from Sydney if they are on northerlies is nice too. But for me the best is Dawn over table mountain coming into Cape Town.

I also quite like the Cape Town Intl, easy on FS Framerates, even with Heavy Duty traffic loaded! LAX is one of my Least favourites too, instead i would stick with West Palm Beach (I think?) its just a little further from LAX, and pretty good if you are doing some form of Air Taxi service! I would suggest practiseing ILS approaches at LAX though, a tough approach, especially with a lot of traffic in the area!

The same as others, i also like the checkerboard approach, and i often practice useing all the VOR's in the area, and i make a complete circuit of Hong Kong before coming into land. Very good fun, if you like some very hairy approaches!

With General Aviation in the UK, i find that Shoreham is a very difficult airport to land at, as it has one of the thinest runways i have ever seen! (18metres wide) Better off landing on the taxiways themselves!

If you are interested in haveing a spectacular webam view of Shorehams clubhouse! Amazing! Go here:

http://www.shorehamairport.co.uk/webcam.asp

Clear skies at the moment!

If you are interested in Circuit maps of the Airfield go here:

http://www.shorehamairport.co.uk/circuit-map.asp

And shorehams airfield layout chart:

http://www.shorehamairport.co.uk/airfield-img.asp

Thanks for your time!

Post by **martinhodgson** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 12:52 pm

Looks nice - loads of people watching planes in the sun

Gingerme · Post by **Gingerme** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 12:56 pm

People like them make me too jealous!

Then again..i might go up next week perhaps....?