Night Landing Hong Kong Kai Tak Airport Last Night (1998)

[@cestusjr1]

I miss that approach. Was lucky enough to view this approach from the cockpit once in 91 or 92. Most brilliant approach of any airport I've flown into.

[@fkwithfriezaday]

+Charles “Huck” Estus are u a pilot?

[@cestusjr1]

+JMM2301 Nope; just a tourist lucky enough to sit next to a pilot who invited me up to the cockpit of the 747 we were on.

[@insertnamehere5660]

In the 80's and 90's, terrorism didn't really enter anyone's mind. So people got invited to the cockpit quite a lot. But once Hijackings and other acts happened, it all changed. The width of the door was changed, and no-one was aloud in the cockpit.

[@auton3035]

I'm sorry that u missed that approach... but bro, chill out and hold your head up high cause u can always go around.

[@wenaldy]

Look at those flashes!!! This is so memorable indeed.

[@geraintroberts565]

I was stationed at RAF Kai Tak from 1976-78. Our flight from the UK was on an RAF VC10 and we did a night landing which was awesome and set the tone for the next two years. Ironically I was on the side of the aircraft that, as it made it's turn at the checkerboard ( no lead in lights then I think ) I looked down at flats below thinking I wouldn't like to live there, and that's just where we did at the junction of Waterloo Road and Hereford Road. Many thanks for the upload, what memories.

[@davidrogers4463]

Geraint Roberts That must of been a brilliant experience. shame the airports gone now :(

[@435user]

Back in 1986, we visited Hong Kong and landed at night, when all the skyscrapers were lit up. It is still the most beautiful city I've ever seen. Thank you for posting these videos.

[@non2002]

The approach to the new airport is nothing like Kai Tak. Kai Tak was so amazing simply because it was a fully operating international airport smack right bang in the middle of a city. As you saw in the final seconds of the descent, the buildings are very, very close to the plane. Likewise, I used to go airplane spotting in Kowloon City, you could always identify the airline from the plane's tail. The planes were just that close.

[@bendyhui]

yea, the old airport (kai tak at kowloon city) was voted the most excited airport by over a thousand pilots, because it is so challenging for them, because they cant even a single little mistake, and in fact, there had never been an incident since the day it opened to it closed - 60years

[@airboyd]

Somewhat true, but this night was not about the approach it was about the people of Hong Kong and the closing of a page in history. The approach flies over the new airport, set to open in hours, and then we arrive over Kowloon where it seemed like everyone in Hong Kong had come out to say good night to Kai Tak. I caught those flash bulbs from all over Kowloon. It was amazing. Check out my other vids for various other views of the apporach...

[@type45tomcat21]

@SteU4IA yes, this was the final day of Kai Tak as an airport. I can still remember at that Sunday how crowded the airport was, just like every Hong Kongers came to say goodbye with her. I was a kid at that time and I asked my mother bring me to have a last visit to the airport in the afternoon :) I think most of them are came with feelings of thankful to her, like the speech made before her closure: "Goodbye Kai Tak, and thank you!"

[@NBGZerO]

@FALCO64125 Kai Tak used a special approach system called IGS. It was like an ILS, only guiding to a hill near the Airport. The approaching Aircraft had to make a right turn before landing. Those strobes are there as a visual reference.

[@trollemall7016]

Last year I visited Hong Kong for the first time. It's an amazing city. I definitely want to go back one day. I wish I could have experienced a Kai Tak landing.

[@FlightSimXtreem]

You can see all people taking pictures on the ground with the flashes. I was just a lil baby boi in 1998. My dad flew as captain on 747 those days also into Kai, but to youngh to fly along.

[@drunacres]

So sad to see this video. I miss Kai Tak very much. I often flew this approach in the jump seat of a Cathay Pacific 747-400 on CX881 from LAX or an old L1011 Tristar on CX421 from SEL. It was magic and one of the reasons I loved and still love Hong Kong. Nothing beats the view from the air. Some of the best memories of my life.

[@kenpalmer1965]

A very nice video! Being it was the last night the airport was open, that had to have been a little emotional for the crew of the plane if not the people in ATC. That was cool that you also got that plane taking off after this one landed. Superb job on filming this!

[@brucewayne3602]

absolutely timeless ... brilliant video !!!

[@robertgift]

Never saw CURVED lead-in lights before! Are they anywherelse? Interesting seeing all the amateur photographers who do not know how to turn of their flashes. Beautiful video Thank you. RWG Denver, Colorado USA

[@JohnyBravoSix]

This video's are like documentary.Thank you for uploading these and pls...baby don't stop!!! 5stars sure:D

[@hualani6785]

TY AirBoyd, for we ex Kai Tak peeps, miss it all the time, kept everyone a wee bit sharp.

[@Gcmy]

@singh5gunner yes they were from camera flashes, thousands of people gathered around Kai Tak airport during the day of closure and taking pictures, on 6th July 1998.

[@rogeriomacedo8380]

Those flahes on the right on short final, look llike people taking pictures! Amazing!

[@4IN14094]

it have always been a thrill ride when landing at kai tak when i was a kids, this footage brings a lots of memories for many hong kong people kai tak is a love and hate, how funny is it when in the past we hate the noise when aircraft passing over, now that it is gone we starts to miss them :) anyway hong kong needed a new airport as the old one is just too old and small, and i am all happy with the new one

[@noiserrr]

awesome video.. brings back a lot of memories from being on an airplane arriving at night. makes me miss places.

[@MarcusLeepapi]

Thanks again... I miss Kai Tak. Wow!! After flying for 24 years, it was always a pleasure flying in Kai Tak.......... You don't get this great feeling flying into their new airport. That the new one feels like flying into Denver.... Boring!!

[@clublati]

Love technology...being able to see the pilot cabin during landing...love it!

[@theVRpilot]

yes, i believe it was the last flight into that airport it was closed after that! those were not "simple" obstacle lights nor approach lights.

[@bendyhui]

hi, kyutcjang thank you for the great comment that you made for hong kong. yea, i love hong kong at night, the lights

[@nuliah9999]

Awesome video! Beautiful night landing, beautiful view of Victoria Harbour! I miss Kai Tak!

[@qq290677797]

If you look at the chart, arrival traffics don't need to cross TH. Crossing CH at 8,000 ft. as the initial of IGS 13 approach. Then ,fly heading 270 for 7 nm and turn right heading 045 for IGS (since it's Boeing 747 with a greater than 220 knts. approaching speed, it doesn't need to cross SL NDB if you look at the chart).

[@yaguarete79]

Awesome to see the illusion that you're landing over the city itself. Of course, as an Island that it is, there mustn't be plenty of room available for an airport, so it's close to the city. I liked your recording despite of the way it was done. I see what your interest was on this case, and I agree.

[@vin1214]

"This was recorded on the last night that Kai Tak was open. The flight goes over Kai Tak, Hong Kong Island, the new airport, Tsing Ma bridge and into Kai Tak. You can see the lead-in lights as well as people photographing the plane on the last night." PLEASE READ

[@wuliangye]

God this is an awesome video... reminds me of my trip to HK last August. It was a night approach, but of course we landed in the new airport. Aviation is the best... I wanna be a pilot :((((

[@itzajdmting]

Nice job on removing the music, makes the film more atmospheric and authentic :)

[@TravellingNomad81]

Wow you can see the flashing lights curving into Runway 13.

[@simonlloyd6642]

I love this video, have watched it so many times. Was even better before The Sweetest Thing soundtrack had to be removed ❤❤

[@Infinitez_72]

Even though I have never had a flight land in Kai Tak, the airport seemed like a great place, and the skillful turn that led to the rapid descent of the plane mustve taken years to master. Too bad this place isn't still in operation, 'cause I would definately go.. :')

[@bud6346]

I have done a simulator landing at Kai Tak, It has always been my dream to actually land at there, unfortunately it will never happen. Thank you for your excellent posts.

[@PhilAndersonOutside]

I miss Kai Tak.

[@michaeltoddaviation]

The camera flashes are pretty awesome.

[@airboyd]

Music version is back up.

[@einenrauchen]

gotta love the camera flashes!

[@razzinsky]

that's pretty frikin scary man! Very nice touchdown!

[@johannesbols57]

I just saw for the first time what I think was a glide path lighted by strobing lights under the checkerboard, for night landings.

[@BLAZETANGO]

i love the cabin shaking sound when touching down :)

[@RufftaMan]

i love landing at night.. a shame i've never flown to hong-kong yet.. and too bad kai tak is closed now.. but good for the people living there i guess =) beautiful video!

[@frequentairbusflyer8]

I loved that airport, but it was an accident waiting to happen with the angle of approach, cross winds, highly dense/populated area, just challenging all together

[@miss901]

it looks beautiful omg. well done.

[@rodneys0909]

Thank you for a great video. I guess on nights like that , you'd be hard pressed to find a better job.

[@qq290677797]

Sorry, just made a mistake. It's greater than 180 knts not 220 knts. Aircrafts approaching with air speed greater than 180 knts don't need to cross SL NDB.

[@aggeliki5z]

great video!!

[@garyemorin]

wondering if the airport will be used as a training facility or a rehab center for that part of china? Right in the middle of an active shipping port, glad to see this video!!

[@Sassafrasican]

4:07 tung chung (in upper left corner), the "new town" created to support chek lap kok, was brand new back then. even some of the distinctive towers of coastal skyline and caribbean coast aren't there yet!

[@omar2726]

Instrument Guidance System, a modified ILS, where you approach the airport at an angle, then turn towards the runway at the end.

[@AARedSox327]

@stan6cv Tegucigalpa's Toncontin approach requres a sharp turn to short final, as well as Washington Regan Regional's runway 19 approach (river visual). I also think Quito Mariscal Sucre International Airport has somewhat of a sharp turn into short final from what i understand

[@Ubeans2001]

This is history here. Its very saddening to know this was one of its last flights to arrive.

[@luckyowl249]

Wonderful impressions & many thanks!

[@WhatIsLife711]

It will never stop to amaze me!

[@itapuan35]

A pilot in training: I finally completed my necessary hours to fly Kai Tak ! First pilot - Yes, you learned to land during the day, now you will learn to land at night! A pilot in training - WHAT ?!

[@Sarratt]

Thank, you for just continuing your job

[@meshuggah]

i was thinking more along the lines of paperclip hedge toaster.

[@ftowords]

Thanks for a nice vid bro :)

[@Angolaviators]

747 cockpit is the best looking one? It really looks like a mobile office. I love this bird.

[@razzinsky]

i think what you may have seen is the strobe lights on the ILS beacons. Although usually those beacons are in line with a runway.

[@sa8569]

farewell kai tak thank u for the most breathtaking landings

[@zaphr89]

@AARedSox327 Madeira Runway (8 i think) has a quite sharp turn with lead in lights, so does runway 13L/R for Canarsie VOR approach and Nice Cote D'azur in france for its riviera approach has a turn but not as sharp.

[@Gerardius]

Thanks lokalexi1, I can see that at least you agree with me that a cockpit view is another thing that what this vid shows...

[@docrosko]

I really admire the abilities of pilots. Night landing would be very tense indeed for me. I was flying to Detroit and the last hour was in nothing but clouds, then 2 minutes before landing, we broke under the clouds and there was the airport. Amazing to me.

[@Dietzeeeee]

the aproach lights are curved?? hmmm I wonder what it would be like flying an ILS approach on that runway.

[@FALCO64125]

at 6:10, is that the runway environment strobes that curve away from the runway heading to bring arriving traffic on to the runway 13 from an 09 heading? That is just so weird, I've only ever seen those strobes going strait out from the runway. Is that how they dud instrument approaches to avoid terrain strait off of runway 31?

[@anytimecheerful]

thanks for uploading the video. i used to live around the airport for years so i've kind of ignored the dangerous side of having an airport in the middle of the city. nevertheless, there's only one occassion that an airplane fall into the water after landing at Kai Tak over a period of 25 years.

[@zavish]

Awesome video!!! 5 stars ;)

[@JohnyMnemonic909]

great stuff, thanks for sharing

[@theVRpilot]

um no? that was the last flight into that airport. lots of spectators came to take pictures.

[@musico81986]

Excellent! RIP Kai Tak!!

[@vin1214]

read the info..". \You can see the lead-in lights as well as people photographing the plane on the last night."

[@Goldpanda94]

Are all those flashes around 6:20? The photographers? thats awesome lol

[@JW0804]

Nice landing! Where did the flight take off?

[@xxquiker]

No Kai Tak is now a dock for boats or something. Kai Tak closed down when the new Chek Lap Kok airport opened in 1998. I may be wrong about the date...

[@alpha754293]

yea...there were a TON of people taking pictures...there are other videos on here that show that...and it's nuts!!!

[@FALCO64125]

IGS as in Instrument Guiding System rather than landing system? Did the terrain make strait in instrument approaches to the runway undo-able or unsafe?

[@flo2506HST]

This lights are also in Funchal, Madeira LPMA, due to mountains

[@lolvks]

@GoPensGo377 This was filmed from the jumpseat (behind the CPT and FO), not from the pilots seat.

[@Dirigo207]

The atmosphere must have been something that night. Being there at the closer of such a great airport. I can only imagine the sights the sounds and the smells of being there. Must have smelt a lot like jet exhaust.

[@TMWTim]

Pretty cool...Thanks for the vid

[@danethical]

Great video.

[@maheroho]

those flash on the street at final are those camera flash?

[@hitiktak]

So cool! Thank you.

[@opera-obrolperancis8683]

Hello ! Interesting video ! But I have one question of curiosity : why was the last flight out of Kai Tak at midnight on the very early hours of the 6th of July and not until the evening for example (the evening of the 6th of July) ? It seems then that the last full day for Kai Tak was the 5th of July. In my personal opinion, when you decide to close on a certain date, it has to be after almost a full day of that date. I would be happy if someone answers or replies to my question. Kai Tak was certainly a unique airport. It is also sad that the airport has been closed and remains only in history.

[@johnccollinsjr]

I heard a controller say “line up up and wait.” Hmmm. I thought that phrase replaced “taxi into position and hold” many years later. Is this audio not authentic? Was that phrase used by controllers in 98??

[@NBGZerO]

That pretty much sums it up, yes.

[@shadow3pne]

i think the hong kong tourist board should use your footage, marvellous

[@LucaKiss70AU]

Excuse me, but is Kai tac still operative??

[@edy043]

I love Hong Kong, such a beautiful city!

[@trechan]

Also, does anyone notice the number of pictures taken on that landing? Look at all the flashes from the aircraft.

[@dohmany]

aww man, i clcked this video again because i love the music, which was sth like " la la la la...goodbye.." ...wt was that song again?

[@1QuebecSierra]

Kaitak, there can be only one, lol. Farewell, we miss u, curved approach, checkerboard hill, etc.

[@Esteph29]

i love the feeling in planes. iono why.haha esp when travelling during night times. haaaaaa its soo night just seeing lights from above

[@p8ntballer8491]

wow, HK looks so different. The only recognizable building i see is Center Plaza. IFC 2 was still under construction i think. I think isee IFC 1 though.

[@cjracer1000]

so did they fly out of it the next day or that night into the new airport

[@kiss74mx]

que gran video, me encanto !!! gracias por compartiro en la red..

[@pgmammo]

Yes, all radio communication is in english.

[@MauroJersey]

very nice landing...