I have done a couple flights into Kai Tak here on the blog, back in July 2009 and March 2009 as well. The flight sim world did not have many add on airports close to Kai Tak in the past so it was a destination rarely visited, but with the awesome freeware Thai flight sim stuff and even the payware WSSS by Imagine Sim it is becoming the jewel of a nice city pairing with some great add on airports (can't forget to mention Overland Sim's RKSI and Japan Airport Series, the later stuff they have done is amazing).
In late November along came another little payware gem from Thai Creation. Hanoi's Xin Chao Intl Airport for FS9. It's a great scenery and a short 500+ nm flight to/from Kai Tak.
So today's flight is for Cathay Pacific Cargo in the 747-400F. VVNB (Hanoi) to VHHX (Hong Kong Kai Tak). Flight CPA389.
Loading cargo at VVNB
We are pretty heavy for this leg, with the short flight we are hauling a little under 220'000lbs of cargo back to Hong Kong. Our ZFW was 584'000lbs and with 60'000lbs of fuel and our TOW is 644'000lbs meaning a fuel dump if we had any problems on take off. We are well under our max land should the trip go well, which we expected.
Weather at VVNB was wind 030/12kts and 14C with clouds scattered at 1'800ft and broken at 4'000ft in haze and 4 miles vis. Using 29L for take off and the HAK1B departure. Taxi out called for lots of throttle with the weight of the cargo.
Moving on runway 29L at VVNB
The trip east was fairly quiet and short with overcast most of the way along the R474 airway. Departure saw a little chop but nothing serious. My mind was on that awesome arrival at Kai Tak.
In my sim I have both Kai Tak (VHHX) and Chep Lap Kok (VHHH) in service with a small amount of traffic coming and going at Kai Tak (mostly Cargo and Domestic flights). And I also have runway 31 closed at Kai Tak to ensure an IGS 13 landing....of course provided the tail winds do not exceed 10kts and today the weather was just within limits, saving me from landing at VHHH.
Arrival weather for Kai Tak was wind 020/09kts with clouds 2'000 few, 2'500 scattered and 12'000 overcast at 11C and 6 miles vis. No Sid as I just flew to SIERA at FL70 and then the approach that takes me just south of Chep Lap Kok at 4'500 feet and the IAF of the NDB SL for a 16 mile final.
Aiming for the checker board
With the tail wind I left the A/T on until almost touch down but I hand flew the final 1000ft (you have to!!) and it was a thrill as always as you can see in the shot's below. I did land left of the center line but with this type of approach I was very happy with the results...
Turning right for short final runway 13
Almost there
I'm not too ashamed of this landing as it is very hard to fly visual while turning hard and looking to the right as well as having to watch the PFD, this is a great time to have a PNF with you to give you some cues but as most sim fliers know, we are on our own!
Unloading at Kai Tak
I also shot a HD video of the landing that you can catch on YouTube by clicking HERE
4 comments:
Great flight for this year's opening. The HD video is just awesome!!
Your final approach looks very tidy and the touchdown seems to be spot on. Great job.
I love the screen shots, I have to say, the choice of location was perfect as well.
I was left of the IGS and didn;t flare much on touch down, but I have has worse landings there Onur!
Very nice, Al. The release of 9D prompted my last PC replacement, and I must pick up the FT version one of these days. Looks better than most of my IGS attempts also, so no shame there.
Thanks for the kind comments on the landing Pitts!
That is the fun of flight simulator is it not? No one ever gets hurt and nothing ever gets broken! Unless of course you count tossing your PC out the window when it CTD's!!
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