"Flying Over the Roof of the World: Paro Airport's Nail-Biting Arrival"

Paro International Airport, located in Bhutan, is renowned for its challenging approach and landing due to its unique topography surrounded by mountains. The approach to runway 15 involves a visually stunning and demanding maneuver to navigate through the Himalayan valleys. Here's a description of the landing procedure for runway 15 at Paro Airport:
1. Approach Phase: As the aircraft approaches Paro Airport, it follows a series of turns to align with the valley that leads to runway 15. The approach path takes the aircraft over picturesque landscapes and mountain peaks.
2. Visual Navigation: Since Paro Airport does not have Instrument Landing System (ILS) due to the terrain, the landing is performed visually. Pilots must rely on their training and experience to ensure a safe descent.
3. Navigating the Valley: The aircraft maneuvers through the narrow valley, surrounded by high peaks on both sides. The valley requires precise navigation to maintain the correct flight path and altitude.
4. Constant Descent: The approach to runway 15 is characterized by a continuous descent with limited go-around options. Pilots must carefully manage the aircraft's descent rate to remain on the desired glide path.
5. Turn on Short Final: As the aircraft nears the runway threshold, a sharp turn to the left after crossing “ Mr. Smith’s House ” is made to align with the runway. This challenging manoeuvre involves flying very close to the terrain while maintaining constant descent and turn to fly over the threshold.
6. Touchdown: After the turn, the aircraft aligns with runway 15 for touchdown. Due to the relatively short runway length, pilots must aim for precise touchdown points to ensure a safe landing.
7. Runway Considerations: Runway 15 at Paro Airport is 7431 feet (2265 meters) in length, which is relatively short for commercial aircraft operations. Therefore, precise control of airspeed and touchdown point is crucial.
8. Terrain Awareness: Throughout the approach and landing, pilots must maintain awareness of the surrounding terrain and quickly respond to any deviations to ensure safe clearance from obstacles.
9. Skilled Piloting: Due to the challenging nature of the approach, landing at Paro Airport requires pilots with specific training and experience. Only qualified and specially certified pilots are allowed to operate into and out of Paro Airport.
The landing at Paro Airport's runway 15 is not only a remarkable feat of aviation skill but also an awe-inspiring experience for passengers and crew alike, offering breathtaking views of the Himalayan mountain ranges.

[@ashtonsodope3947]

Notice how relax the captain is? It’s a piece of cake for him!

[@FlyingDragonAviation]

😄😄😄

[@just2bme1000]

I need his nerves. I'm currently trying to master this approach in Fligh Sim 2020 but man, I struggle to maintain 130 kts on short final.

[@rj934]

Another day at the office for him, been there, done that.

[@trollforaliving6857]

relaxed

[@pattiabb3259]

Wow, now that's skill. What a difficult approach.

[@pilot49588]

As a pilot myself, with over 40 years experience... that approach takes some B_lls in an Airbus or any large aircraft. Great Job.

[@lobobaltazar1322]

And to think that he gets called retard after such a landing.....

[@fyrephiter4901]

That was crazy. The whole video, I kept searching for the runway. That was impressive flying right there. That house on the right, on the hill right before the runway must be able to see the passengers in the plane as it goes by, because it appeared as if it was next to it.

[@anthonysaponaro6318]

I said the exact same thing to myself . . . . The person in that window has the best seat in the house !!

[@suchithralalintha8510]

Hmmmm!!!

[@jimshipp7776]

Crazy....you can't even see the runway until you're practically on top of it...hats off to these guys!

[@jamesoncurry5224]

iFR not possible lol, what a crazy approach

[@lannabofanna779]

...and they do use EVERY last yard of runway. Impressive.

[@slowtony2]

Takes one's breath away. The slow descent weaving through that valley is military flying but in an airliner. The bank so close to that hill at the end of the runway before straightening and immediately dropping to landing hight is bush pilot skill, again in an airliner. No wonder the pilot of the A319 taking off in the July video blasts up and out of that valley as steeply as he can go. Respect to the captain!

[@FlyingDragonAviation]

Thank you and u have a great day.

[@bernicemerryman366]

@@FlyingDragonAviation what an incredible effort to land this plane. Amazing photography and phenomenal pilot and co-pilot.

[@FlyingDragonAviation]

@@bernicemerryman366 thank you 🙏

[@vtrmcs]

I thought he was doing a very good job, then the plane starts insulting him.

[@jackglossop4859]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@dustinversteeg1584]

Lol

[@sheikhhashashin6946]

aHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[@arpansonawane6027]

Only 8 captains in the World are trained to land here

[@rishavsharma7466]

😆

[@mickeymcnaughton2555]

Now that's what I really call a notable "reverse thrust" application. Thank you, Bhutan Airlines (as well as both the pilots and the observers on the flight deck that day) for this clip. Absolutely an eye opener for many, I'm sure.

[@BrianAz]

Holy crap! The ultimate circle to land experience. Fantastic piloting, serious skills. Can you imagine what kind of view the locals get as that bird is making that last bank to final? So cool

[@FlyingDragonAviation]

Check out other videos of the landing. We have the view from nearby.

[@kewkabe]

That's not a circle to land approach (approaching from the opposite end to minimums, then circling around would be a circling approach. This is just a regular visual).

[@BrianAz]

@@kewkabe Thank you for the correction. I just thought any non standard VFR approach after being released from your initial instrument approach to land is a circle to land. I need to read up on that.

[@stabilo3170]

Thanks to the Fly by Wire from Airbus.

[@arpansonawane6027]

Only 8 captains are trained to land here....

[@MiloFlying]

One of the most incredible landings I’ve ever seen👏

[@FlyingDragonAviation]

Thank you

[@paulweston9441]

The landing was routine. It's the approach that's incredible.

[@nerdvananorth2905]

Wow...just wow! So little time to adjust for that landing after that bank! Incredible poise and skill!

[@FlyingDragonAviation]

Thank you.

[@senomadiun]

Exciting view and Amazing Skill

[@petma5551]

I also noticed that

[@AdithyanKNair]

the way he alligned the aircraft to the runway is amazing, great skills. effortless turning

[@FlyingDragonAviation]

Thank you

[@hilman94]

@@FlyingDragonAviation 2:11 damn, that's one of the closest "obstacle" that I ever know on landing path, other than the hill of TGU/MHTG, but now it's already eliminated ... I can't imagine if no visuals, and you must fly by instrument... it's even trickier than landing on Rwy 13 of old HKG/VHHH/Kai Tak... great skill

[@arfster2]

I can't even park my car that neatly.

[@JorgeFernandez-sx6el]

That very last hill just ahead of the runway prevents from a straighter base to final turn. Beautiful maneuver in such tight distances.

[@uniqueurl]

His master skill is availed @2:25 that last one second adjustment seals the fate.

[@SnaxDesAvions]

I tried that in X-Plane, this is absolutely scary, even in a slow DC-3. You guys rock !

[@FlyingDragonAviation]

Thank you very much bro!

[@sazalimdnor1981]

Fuhh....brake must in good condition.....feuhh

[@STS4242]

Highly skilled Captain. The way the FO looks at him at 3.08 thinking… you da maaannn bro!!!

[@musickk7786]

Hahahaha fr

[@scottisaaks]

What equipment was that ?

[@aslambuckus7809]

Hahahahaha he is definitely the maaaan

[@FlyingDragonAviation]

A319

[@Risankaan]

The view from those houses as the aircraft does those last second manoeuvres must be awe-inspiring

[@Rayburn58]

Holy cow. That is outrageous to have a landing strip that requires that approach. Very little margin for error. Only a highly skilled pilot allowed.

[@stabilo3170]

And only easy with an Airbus.

[@faizullakhan1556]

I read somewhere that only 15 pilots are qualified to land at Paro.

[@tashawnsnardon3661]

This is literally watching a master at work. MAD RESPECT!

[@ifyouranushadaface9460]

Having a highly skilled pilot flying you at 30,000 feet is a pretty good feeling

[@Tao_Peace]

Love the full reverse thrust as you can hear the full back pressure of those engines doing their job!! Great piloting!

[@johnscarpetsestablished1983]

omg that was tight at end,such skill,to be able to adjust with seconds to spare to land,,, wow,, awesome

[@gerardmoran9560]

Well done. Very unforgiving environment. No wonder it's only a daylight VMC airport.

[@FlyingDragonAviation]

Thank you. Indeed. Subscribe and share.

[@emilagter9758]

There are many claims about "most difficult landings" but this one is for sure very challenging. Thanks for sharing

[@FlyingDragonAviation]

Glad you enjoyed.

[@bencze465]

Certainly awesome but it reminded me Innsbruck approach, there is a funny video with descending through the clouds over the city. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iH2phWqwa8ehpLM

[@larryruzich659]

Flew into here a coupe years ago. The landing is wild, but the real treat is flying through the HImalayas pass Mount Everest on the way from Kathmandu. Beautiful country and beautiful people!

[@omkarjoshi738]

Pilots Are EXTRAORDINARILY TRAINED AND TALENTED AS WELL ...Great skills. Woooow...

[@NxDoyle]

Damn Airbus. You're about to pull off a landing and it calls you names.

[@katebc9148]

I kept thinking…where is the runway? Holding my breath. What a talented Captain. Amazing.

[@Dawnseeker2000]

Large passenger aircraft are not difficult to fly by hand.

[@tuunaes]

Look for Lukla landing videos...

[@drewwalczuk1873]

Not even kidding as KZbin was loading I was thinking of searching up this approach LOL!!!!

[@bayouflier6641]

Skipper is pure badass. Superior skill just getting to the runway. Then it's like landing in Mexico City with half the runway length. A true "aviator".

[@suvrodip]

Hats off to the skills of the pilots. Definitely the top few in d world can land a jumbo in this airport. Simply brilliant

[@kelvinknk]

Awesome! It’s so extraordinary approach that seems it’s a simulator. Well done pilots!

[@FlyingDragonAviation]

Thank you.

[@madeiraaviation4656]

Damm that Braking was hard!

[@gerardacronin334]

Stunning scenery and landing! I was expecting to hear “Terrain, Terrain” at 2:10, but they had that alarm switched off.

[@FlyingDragonAviation]

Procedure to have it off once visual with the terrain during the approach.

[@paulweston9441]

I believe if the aircraft is configured for landing (gear and flaps down) the ground proximity alarm does not come on.

[@fbw_pilot]

@@paulweston9441 No, the EGPWS and Terrain are turned off. (You can see TERR and SYS Push button pressed at 1:34 on the left side of overhead)

[@Pureexhiliration]

wow, it almost felt like they were about to overrun the runway.

[@FlyingDragonAviation]

We have around 2100 meters long runway at an airport elevation of about 7300 feet. With 30 meters wide runway it does posses huge challenges to the crew.

[@NicolaW72]

@@FlyingDragonAviation Indeed. Congratulations for the safe and smooth landing.

[@FlyingDragonAviation]

Thank you

[@sascha_sailing]

Autobreak is still LOW, there is much more possible on the breaks, i guess the plan is to roll until to end to not overheat the breaks, nevertheless great job.

[@m.zaferkasapoglu4093]

Pilots never decide landing without touch & go choice

[@steve-marsh]

Wow! When I first saw the runway, I thought I was mistaken, I was like 'nah, no way is it tucked away there!' Incredible, not too bad in benign conditions, but imagine a bit of storm or wind shear thrown into the equation? I guess the airport would close in a storm, but wind shear can be more unpredictable and less obvious.

[@PMDG738flyer]

Yep, they would close the airport, its has to be under VFR conditions and daytime to be able to land or takeoff.

[@hoomanAdnan]

Runway appears at the last moment..! At least there's a runway! Beautiful views of landing ♥️🙌🏼 from Bangladesh 🇧🇩

[@frankcorral4981]

My palms started to sweat. I was pushing my foot down like braking in a car lol. And I'm lying in bed. The maneuvering just before "touchdown" was intense. Nicely done captain & crew.👍👏👏

[@FlyingDragonAviation]

Thank you.

[@DigiMorphouZ]

Much respect! Some of the most skilled pilots I've ever seen! I'd fly with you anytime...anywhere!

[@FlyingDragonAviation]

Thank you. Visit Bhutan and fly with us. Looking forward.

[@altonwilliams7117]

You guys were banking just before the landing. Great piloting!!!

[@sunitaabhang8344]

Yes

[@Therider61]

Whewww. I wasn’t in the plane but I felt it. Man!

[@iwayini]

Wow, what a landing. You bank and then immediately put it on the deck and brake like crazy. Super WOW. Thanks for vid.

[@FlyingDragonAviation]

Thank you 🙏🙏🙏

[@lukecronje619]

Most will not have any idea of how skilled and experienced that pilot actually is. That approach has to be spot on, and he greased it !

[@FlyingDragonAviation]

Thank you.

[@bhaveshbarot9690]

Yes Absolutely Correct 👍

[@doirtlee]

I don't like the computer calling me a retard while I'm trying to land. Its just uncalled for.

[@FlyingDragonAviation]

So true haha!

[@zeprulz1]

Be careful with the "R" word. I got banned from an aviation channel for a joke like that. Woke crowd is outta control. I told them to take it up with Airbus.

[@pattiabb3259]

Well in French "Retard" means slow or delay. Which I'm sure you know this😁

[@Jbertrand1977]

Oh my gosh! I laughed so hard at this!!! I’m going to hell now. 🤣

[@equious8413]

@@pattiabb3259 pro-tip, that's what it means in English too. A generation of douchebags co-opted the term 🙄

[@kudacuda4350]

this is the craziest thing i've ever seen ,the approach angle is crazy crazy

[@ricardoabreu69]

And they use to say, that Madeira airport it's hard, they don't know this one. Amazing landing. 👍👍👍👍

[@waldendouglas744]

Good morning, that is really impressive. Congratulations to the crew.

[@FlyingDragonAviation]

Thank you very much.

[@james1787]

So impressive! That has to be a fun landing.. great skill!

[@lovingred5676]

Fun??? For WHO??? 😵🥴

[@captainfokker3951]

What a spectacular landing . salute you guys

[@coloradomark2159]

I think this landing qualifies as insane!

[@jpaleas]

Beautiful scenery ! Amazingly skilled pilots!

[@danieldolezal8541]

This is a pure pilot's nightmare. Amazing landing.

[@FlyingDragonAviation]

Thanks you

[@johnpatrick1588]

What a blast that must be from the ordinary boring straight in landings to 8000 ft runways.

[@garykusnierz2108]

And just like that real pilots can fly airplanes !! Good work guys !!! Gary K

[@antonioserrano7764]

La expresión y el gesto de aprobación del segundo oficial hacia el comandante lo dice todo.Fantastico aterrizaje! Feliz año 2022 a todos los pilotos del mundo por el gran trabajo que hacéis a diario.Saludos!

[@FlyingDragonAviation]

Happy New year 2022!

[@joshbentz9846]

Basically turned on final and got the 50ft call. Awesome job

[@patrickmollohan3082]

Oh yeah!! That was badass as it gets!! Much respect to both these pilots!! A landing like that shows they were tuned in to what each others talent and trust bringing that plane in!! And....ALL of the Pilots have to bring their "A" game when they make that flight!!✈✈✈

[@denobud1]

And to think some people find it hard to parallel park a car 🤦🏼 and then you have skill like this pilot.

[@hank1519]

Those varying altitude callouts were scary!

[@DavidTheHypnotist]

That pilot deserves a medal

[@houstonbalaji4768]

Absolutely breathtaking skills! Right before the landing the hills looked so close to the right windshield!!!

[@TechTrader108]

this truly is A PILOTS RUNWAY ...............definitely looks intimidating...and what a beautiful landing...kudos to every piloot for a successful landing here

[@TheChrisCCole]

That... was... awesome!!!

[@kevinmcdonald1917]

That was so cool, thanks for sharing.

[@jonathanstark3930]

That was amazing landing wow good job very fast coming in. Phenomenal

[@spsasi123]

Wow.! I never ever seen like 500 ft to 50 ft and sudden landing..These pilot are handling the commercial Jet as game..Great..!!

[@Dessert_x_Tat]

And the plane stoped 2m of the end of the runway AND on the perfect spot to turn right!!??! BRAVO!

[@siliconfreak2883]

Incredibly flown Captain. Even the FO was dumbstruck. Great knowledge of aircraft handling and done with so much confidence. I applaud you, and if I ever get a chance to visit Bhutan, I will see who's flying me. How many of these did you have to do simulated prior to qualifying?

[@FlyingDragonAviation]

Thank you. We have to do few days of Simulator flying, lots of flying from the left (with instructor on the right )before being released on line. U must visit Bhutan 🇧🇹 once the pandemic ends. Give a shout if u plan. Have a good day!

[@valuedhumanoid6574]

I have made this approach many times in my flight sim. I have yet to pull it off to an acceptable level. That last descending turn onto final gets me every time. In slower planes I can manage it, but in jets it come so fast that you cannot make a mistake. Mad respect for those pilots.

[@shauryarana9755]

Ive made one good landing on it out of the 100+ I've tried. Its almost impossible to recreate that landing, wish I had recorded it

[@gap9992]

That takes great skill from brilliant pilots but doing it for real is actually easier than on a home sim because the visual clues are much better. That said it really is a crazy approach. Seems like there were other places earlier in the approach where they could have located the airport. But hey, why make it easy! lol

[@raghavendravishwas5929]

That's too terrifying..😱

[@1486230]

So nice it’s recorded in a frame rate that doesn’t make the aircraft displays flicker.

[@FlyingDragonAviation]

iPhone X and lcd display screens

[@straightpipediesel]

Yeah, these are all LCD now because it's hard to get replacement CRTs since they're out of production. The issue with the CRTs is that most of them are actually vector displays, so they draw at a frame rate that varies depending on what's on the screen. That means it's always at a slightly changing weird refresh rate.

[@tenzinkunga9955]

Beautiful place beautiful landing shandaar.

[@budemmichalmaziarz]

Ale piękne macie widoki i lądowanie spokojne. Pozdrawiam z Polski.

[@i95smuggler]

Remarkable. Five star videography.

[@FlyingDragonAviation]

Thank you very much.’

[@matthieugaude4787]

Something like Cusco (Peru), very impressive ! But it is the higher level in this one !!

[@andrewnicholas9079]

Wow. I'll subscribe on that note. Impressive.

[@chrisandrew852]

That must be the most crazy approach I have ever seen. I could never live in one of those houses on that little point that sticks out from the right side lol.. I bet they are cheap to buy. Well done guys.. great skills and a brilliant video.

[@FlyingDragonAviation]

Thank you

[@zeprulz1]

Awesome approach and landing. You guys rock!!

[@g2macs]

When the plane calls.. . 'one thousand' and the very next second 'five hundred'.. the pucker factor must rise exponentially.

[@victorygah]

One of my very favorite in Microsoft Flight Simulator.

[@tiozorrodelvalle9953]

Es el mejor aterrizaje que he visto en mi vida ✨

[@freddywong2638]

I'm surprised how smooth the pilot land in that way, awesome!

[@babydriver8134]

This man (men) know what they are doing. Thanks for the ride along.

[@Thesilverninja]

What a freaking ACE! Incredible landing!

[@963hz]

Pretty damn smooth landing. Popped right on the center line

[@Thomasaja]

Saya sudah melihat beberapa video anda, dan itu luar biasa bagi saya. Saya takut naik pesawat, akan tetapi setelah saya melihat beberapa video tentang penerbangan dan review para pilot yang bertugas, saya bisa mengatasi itu dan sekarang saya senang terbang.

[@brasco96wired67]

That looks insane

[@paullacey2999]

Thats superb!On the edge of my seat👍

[@mmichaeldonavon]

Wow. Loved the bank angles on those ADI's. Great piloting skills.

[@ranashome24]

Few years back I watched from the Paro hillside, while the pilot was doing circuit landings…. Both takeoffs and landings looked very scary

[@Jamboliner]

Captain. whoever you are, you are a monster. Awesome landing!

[@FlyingDragonAviation]

😂😂😂

[@Kjeesle]

I guess this has become a routine commute home for all Paro captains. Just sublime.

[@punapirate]

Brilliant landing very few pilots certified to land here. “When you see the green roofed house on the hill… hard left” saw this on another video when the certified pilot was instructing the other pilot… amazing… (words to that effect)

[@MeenPo786]

For God's sake, let's hope they don't paint it over to another color!

[@reckz22]

wow! making that last sharp left turn while dropping down to ground level and yet also straightening out for landing all happening in those last few moments, that's some serious piloting stuff!

[@Eleminateryan_23]

The pilot is a true confident legend

[@TARUNSHARMA-jw6jz]

Wow! Impressive

[@jimfar2008]

Must be a lot of fun trying to land when it is foggy and raining and at night!!

[@FlyingDragonAviation]

Not fun at all in the rain. We operate only during day time. Sunrise to Sunset. VFR only

[@nowhereman5119]

Wow - that is tough! At the last turn they were almost scraping the rooves of the houses on the hillside. Spectacular views though.

[@stevecadman137]

Interesting alignment of the runway

[@stabilo3170]

Thanks to Airbus FBW

[@pault8470]

He parked that bus like he was popping into Walmart. Fantastic

[@DaveLynchJazzGuitar]

Holy cow !! Not the kind of flying I like , but I admire his skills. It's like landing on a postage stamp! LOL

[@toddfisher3792]

That is absolutely insane. Crazy skills right there! As a passenger, Id need a few beers to handle the stress of that final lol.

[@stabilo3170]

Thanks to Airbus FBW

[@wisnuwisnu2703]

Onde mande😁😁, Pateen x bah landing diantara cekungan bukit dg jarak sempit👍👍

[@christopheratkinson1690]

My next life I will be asking to return to earth to be able to do this landing in real life doubt it will happen but you never know. Nailed it now in the sim but will never do it in this life your so lucky you make it look like a walk in the park. I understand how skilled you have to be.

[@FlyingDragonAviation]

All the best.