Virtual Kai Tak: Revisiting Hong Kong's Classic Airport

This post isn't reflective of reality.  It's reflective of history using a virtual tool.

Anybody who knows me knows I'm a airplane addict. I'm a guy who thinks an MD-11F is a sexy beast!  Since I make my living moving freight, One of the most interesting things I do is understanding the geography of international airports and cargo operations.  For this, I often use Microsoft Flight Simulator and Google Earth. Its actually quite helpful in business to use these virtual tools.  Simulations for business are a coming technology, especially in training.

The video below is for a free addon to MS Flight Simulator called 9 Dragons Kai Tak Airport.   It demonstrates the international airport that existed in Hong Kong from 1925 until mid 1998, when Hong Kong shifted to its present airport and logistics hub at Chek Lap Kok Airport (VHHH).

For those who have flown into Hong Kong prior to 1998,  the event of landing will be memorable. Using the "checkerboard" approach, jets as big as a 747 would fly to a point marked by a giant checkerboard on the side of a mountain, then make a hard right turn in between apartment buildings prior to landing. I guarantee that anybody who has done it, will remember it. It was amazing. Checking out real life photos at airliners.net will show some remarkable landings and miscues!

For old time air freight folks and international travelers into Hong Kong, the video below is nostalgic. The Jurassic Park movie theme music is fun too!  For those who enjoy Flight Simulator, this is also a particularly nice piece of freeware. (The credits on the video are a little long, but who am I to complain about something free?!)

(Note: Some corporate proxy servers ban video from some websites. If you see white space below...you may be on such a network.  Please revisit from home or a connection that does not go through your company VPN.)

Eric

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Comments

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[Jesmi]

Its actually quite helpful in business to use these virtual tools. Simulations for business are a coming technology, especially in training.