Listen "The Checker Board"
Episode Synopsis
Hong Kong’s old airport, Kai Tak, was always a challenging approach for any pilot, particularly during the Typhoon season but what was it like to actually fly around the Checker Board. Hopefully, this Tale explains all.
One particular Captain’s very last Kai Tak landing.
Aircraft on the approach would just clear the apartment blocks of Kowloon.
How the airport looked in the late ’60s before the IGS was built.
A 747-400 ran off the end of Runway 13 into the harbour. The military blew off its fin because it jutted up into the take off path.
Images under Creative Commons licence with thanks to Christian Hanuise, Barbara Spengler and Ywchow.
One particular Captain’s very last Kai Tak landing.
Aircraft on the approach would just clear the apartment blocks of Kowloon.
How the airport looked in the late ’60s before the IGS was built.
A 747-400 ran off the end of Runway 13 into the harbour. The military blew off its fin because it jutted up into the take off path.
Images under Creative Commons licence with thanks to Christian Hanuise, Barbara Spengler and Ywchow.
More episodes of the podcast Plane Tales
RAF Form 414, Vol 35
13/08/2025
Sabotage
26/05/2025
RAF Form 414, Vol 34
22/05/2025
RAF Form 414, Vol 33
07/04/2025
The Final Checkout
07/04/2025
RAF Form 414, Vol 32
13/03/2025
Flight Lieutenant Colin Bell DFC, Part 3
24/01/2025
Flight Lieutenant Colin Bell DFC, Part 2
27/12/2024
The Safety of Safety
27/12/2024
Flight Lieutenant Colin Bell DFC, Part 1
17/12/2024
ZARZA We are Zarza, the prestigious firm behind major projects in information technology.