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I thought the Lord Howe Island runway was short, but I see it's 886 metres.
A pilot friend who has flown a lot in PNG tells some hairy stories about short runways, including one where you took off partway up the side of a mountain and went down before starting to climb.
One of the more interesting strips I have seen in PNG was Nuku - one of the land uphill, takeoff downhill ones. But more interesting than most because the approach is over the ridge on the opposite side of the valley. In this part of the world the only flattish land is on top of the ridges, so this is where the villages are - and the village on the opposite ridge has a gap in the palm trees and the houses in line with the strip.
After touchdown, it was necessary to apply full throttle and ensure the plane was kept moving until the top of the slope was reached, otherwise it was necessary to get the station tractor to tow it to the top. And aircraft needed to be parked crossways, as otherwise there was a good chance they would end up at the bottom of the strip in an unairworthy condition. And turn fuel tank crossfeed OFF!
Approach and landing in the C206 and BN2A we mostly used were interesting, but the most interesting was one trip I made as a passenger in a C402 (which could land at maximum weight, but could only takeoff pretty much empty). Approach over the opposite ridge, normal, with full flap by the ridge, then, as soon as clear of the ridge, add maximum side slip, straightening up just before the threshold.
As mentioned above, all takeoffs downhill, but do not attempt to outclimb the opposite ridge, but turn downstream as soon as safe after you are airborne.
Another airstrip I visited nearby, fortunately by helicopter, has a strip that is only about 5% slope - but it is only 1100 feet long, and has a near vertical drop off both ends.
Then there is Ambunti, on the banks of the Sepik - nice long, level strip, at right angles to the river. But all approaches and departures across the river, regardless of wind, and no hope of a go-round due to the hills on all sides except the river.
It’s short for a loaded up Dash 8. The LDA on 28 is 785m. We used to have an exemption on CAO 20.7.1b to use the airport.Quote:
Originally Posted by DiscoMick
We also had to carry a mainland alternate (even after the regs were changed to remove the requirement).
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Approach to RWY 10.
Thank god it looks bigger as you get closer, eh?[smilebigeye]
Trouble is, it doesn’t [emoji23][emoji23]Quote:
Originally Posted by 4bee
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A quick Ball’s Pyramid scenic.
Oh dear.[bighmmm]
Maybe the aircraft shrinks then? Like a Canon Printer setting "Fit to Page".[smilebigeye]