Hong Kong vACC Blog

HKVACC Annual Dinner 2008

2008-05-09T09:54:00.000-07:00

If you are VATSIM flyer, you have to communication with ATC controller with Voice.
But now, do you wanna to see their face and make friends with them, the chance is being provided!

HKVACC Annual Dinner is coming. From our organization was found in 2005, this is the first annual dinner that we organized to our members. During this event, we hope we can consolidate with our own member and all of you who are interested in aviation.
Although this is the HKVACC Annual Dinner, we welcome you all!
Do not miss this chance, Come and join us at 524!

Following is the details of our annual dinner,

Target: All people who enthusiastic in Aviation!!
Date: 24 May 2008 Saturday
Time: To be confirmed (Night)
Duration: 3 hours.
Location: Somewhere at Mong Kok indoor cafe. (To be confirmed)
Price: 100/each people

Location and time are depending on the number of participant. Don’t worry for these, just reply this message for signing up this Annual Dinner! .
Dead line will be on 7 May 2008. Take your chance!

Until 1 May 2008, no. of members / guests confirmed attend : 20

Kaitak Reborn

2008-03-05T10:04:00.000-08:00

Kaitak - A word being used to refer to an exciting, dangerous and challenging ride into Hong Kong by every aviation enthusiast, and the Mecca of every aviation spotter.
But how special is Kaitak? What makes Kaitak special?

I am never good at describing things, never ever. Therefore, I believe it is good to quote some of the sentences written by famous writers in which may perhaps give you some ideas of what they have experienced in departures and arrivals of Kaitak.
Here you are:

"Aircraft took off from the south east,the runway aiming for the sea. However, rarely,
aircraft had to take off facing inland. This meant that as soon as it was clearing of the ground the aircraft had to veer sharp left to avoid crashing into Kowloon hills. These rose to nearly 1900 feet at a distance from the end of the runway of not much more than 2 miles.
Pilot regarded it as one of the most dangerous and demanding airports in the world."
(Quoted from Gweilo: A memoir of a Hong Kong childhood P.62. Written by Martin Booth, 2003)

"Kaitak had long been saturated. Moreover, as any who have used it will know, to arrive there from the west is an experience that can drive even atheists to prayer."
(Quoted from East and West P.40. Written by Chris Patten, 1998)

What made Kaitak so famous was, of course, the approach path of runway 13 -
Surrounded by mountainous area of Northern Kowloon,
and above one of the most populated area of Hong Kong - Kowloon City.

But actually, the most challenging one of Kaitak was the departure path of runway 31 -
Not only was the path surrounded by mountainous area and above populated area, but it also required all flights to bank sharply to the left and fly along the face of the hills.
This was just too amazing to see a plane rolling on the runway, facing 2000 feet of Kowloon Hills and turning sharply to the left as soon as it got airborne.
It was, indeed, an Airshow showing every day until the retirement of Kaitak, on the 5th July, 1998.

Despite her retirement, this was not the end of the story and legend. The Kaitak airport is still open for flyers from all over the world in VATSIM.
Now everyone, from a student to an experienced real-world pilot, can have a try to land a plane on this legendary airport.

Just few days ago, there were several flyers from UK and Hong Kong showing their excellent flying skills at Kaitak. Here are some screenshots from the radar screen:

3 flights were being sequenced to the IGS.

G-BOAC was in the middle of the queue.

QFA3128 was intercepting the localiser.

There were 3 planes on the IGS!

Welcome!

2008-03-03T00:59:00.001-08:00

Welcome to the blog of Hong Kong VACC, and to Hong Kong - An energetic and innovative city in Asia. As our history has brought East and West together, it is hardly surprising that Hong Kong is able to have merits from both sides - Perseverance and dedication from the Orient, and sophistication and efficiency from the West.

Hong Kong VACC is no exception. We have over 40 professional and dedicated controllers and management staff who are firmly committed to providing efficient air traffic management service and enjoyable flying experience to all flight operating in VATSIM Hong Kong.

I hope this blog may provide you with some insight of our duty and valuable information about our VACC. Happy surfing!