Thanks for mentioning the construction of Hong Kong International Airport. One of my colleagues, John Webb (who worked at Mott Connell at the time), was the project director for the airport as Mott Connell (now Aurecon) was in charge of structural engineering services (with Arup being subcontracted for the roof design) . It was an innovative design for its time, and its influence on modern terminals (including renovations at my local airport at Sydney Kingsford Smith) is telling. Unfortunately, John has recently passed, however this video goes to show how large his legacy was.
Most people have no idea of the sheer amount of air passengers traveling throughout Asia. I had a 3-year subscription to Aviation Week in the mid-90's and the passenger figures were mind-blowing. it was no wonder that all the Asian airlines were champing at the bit to get their hands on the Airbus 380. They needed the capacity! This is why Kai Tak was hosting nothing but jumbo jets. So many people! (Amusingly, I accidentally timed my subscription so that the first issue had the first blurry photo of the "F-19 Stealth Fighter". And the final issue featured the US Air Force officially unveiling the actual stealth fighter, the F-117 Nighthawk! Those two issues make nice bookends.)
I went to Hong Kong twice in 1971 on R&R from Vietnam. I flew into Kai Tak at night the first time. The next day I watched planes land and it looked crazy. The second time I made sure to get a window seat. What a thrill ride.
I was stationed in Hong Kong from 1965 to 1967 when in the Army, landing and taking off a few times during the 2 years, so I remember it very well, very "Iconic" of course as I'm sure many many remember it well, thanks
I was one of those people who flew into Kai Tak and flew out of Chek Lap Kok after a relatively short stay. I knew when I was flying in that it would be the last time. Very sad.
It seems amazing that such a place existed. A plane-spotter's delight, a pilot's nightmare, and the locals going about their business as if nothing has happened out of the ordinary. The really remarkable thing is how well the surrounding buildings directly underneath the flight path stood up - a true testament to Hong Kong architecture.
In 1998 I was an employee of a Dutch subcontractor and had control over the installation of electrical signs on the new airport and metro subways. i landed at the old airport KAI TAK and departed 3 months later from the new airport i workt on "chep lap kok". it was a unique experience
I was in a Cathay 747 landing there in 1993 and wow! Nothing compares. Catching a taxi to the city the smell of aircraft exhaust was crazy. Loved it . . .
I flew into Kai Tak many times as a kid in the 80s visiting relatives. Always fun to see what people were watching on TV through the windows when landing... Of course it was almost always TVB!
This was by far that was by far the craziest landing approach i have ever enjoyed. if i remember correctly, the jumbo flew a sharp left turn shortly before landing, the left wing tip almost seemed to touch the balcony of a skyscraper, at least you could recognize the faces of the residents...my craziest landing approach
My grandad worked as a church missionary back in the 80s and in the 90s, he traveled around the world and he also has a passion in aviation. I saw one of his old pictures in his British Airways flight from Heathrow to Manila via Kai Tak, he even showed me one of his old tapes of the approach, my god it was spectacular!
Flying through Hong Kong in a few weeks and I'm gutted that I'm not flying through Kai Tak, as a child my father was an RAF pilot and had lots of stories flying through and out of there!
A timely reminder of what was there in Kowloon Bay. I recently worked for three years on the Kai Tak Sports Park that now inhabits the Western end of the runway and there’s a hint at the previous site in the design. But that’s Hong Kong, nothing stays still and nothing lasts forever.
At 65yo I am fascinated by how many places, planes and cars I have experienced/owned/lived during a 40 years IT/Telecoms global consulting career are now the subject of TH-cam content. #goodolddays
Apples to oranges; LGA handles around 400,000 flight ops annually, nearly double Kai Tak - passenger numbers are meaningless as they’re almost all heavies as Kai Tak. LGA is also smack dab in the middle of some of the most complicated and congested airspace in the world. It’s not just “flat, wide open and free of obstacles” 😂 - I’m assuming you’ve never flown an approach into the NYC / NJ area.
@@EstorilEm You assume correctly, but I have flown into Kaitak thousands of times. Airspace, really, just north of Hongkong is China, and they don't take kindly to airspace infringement. A flak battery is definitely more worrying than Newark airspace.
If you ever been to Kai Tak for real, you would know how the cabin start to stink immediately after touchdown because the runway happens to be next to the Kai Tak nullah, which carries with it sewage from parts of the city. Or the very yellow-ish terminal interior lights and signs, or the rivers of steam-like condensation running down the ceiling AC ducts near the gates during the summer.
Lived in HK early 90s and specifically on Lantau island. Got to know alot of Aussies employed to build the new airport. I remember the incerdible land reclamation taking place. Subsequently went back many times, post the new airport opening. Grand it was but not a patch on the take off and landing at Kai Tak. Great video, very interesting.
Just a few nibbles speaking from Hong Kong The Harbour separating Hong Kong Island and Kowloon is called Victoria Harbour David Wilson was knighted around the time he became Governor of Hong Kong (The only Governor who was not knighted when taking office was Chris Patten, later Baron Patten)
I must say, for a country and people so rich in heritage and history, they certainly don’t seem to hesitate when it comes to destroying it. 🤦♂️ I couldn’t believe the artifacts and historic sites they leveled to build Kai Tak… which is one thing, but to simply erase such an iconic airport (and literally every shred of evidence it ever existed) completely off the map is both egregious and telling. It would have been an exceptional little GA airport, while paying homage to the original roots of the little Kai Tak training field of the 20s. Plus you could look on as tiny 172s took off or came in for a landing, while imagining the massive 747s and other wide bodies of the past. 😔
American here, I never flew in or out through the old airport; but I have through the current one many times. Cathay Pacific was one of my favorite airlines. However, thanks to the CCP Hong Kong is dead and I do not see myself going there ever again even as a transient
Thanks for mentioning the construction of Hong Kong International Airport. One of my colleagues, John Webb (who worked at Mott Connell at the time), was the project director for the airport as Mott Connell (now Aurecon) was in charge of structural engineering services (with Arup being subcontracted for the roof design) . It was an innovative design for its time, and its influence on modern terminals (including renovations at my local airport at Sydney Kingsford Smith) is telling. Unfortunately, John has recently passed, however this video goes to show how large his legacy was.
Most people have no idea of the sheer amount of air passengers traveling throughout Asia. I had a 3-year subscription to Aviation Week in the mid-90's and the passenger figures were mind-blowing. it was no wonder that all the Asian airlines were champing at the bit to get their hands on the Airbus 380. They needed the capacity!
This is why Kai Tak was hosting nothing but jumbo jets. So many people!
(Amusingly, I accidentally timed my subscription so that the first issue had the first blurry photo of the "F-19 Stealth Fighter". And the final issue featured the US Air Force officially unveiling the actual stealth fighter, the F-117 Nighthawk! Those two issues make nice bookends.)
I went to Hong Kong twice in 1971 on R&R from Vietnam. I flew into Kai Tak at night the first time. The next day I watched planes land and it looked crazy. The second time I made sure to get a window seat. What a thrill ride.
I was stationed in Hong Kong from 1965 to 1967 when in the Army, landing and taking off a few times during the 2 years, so I remember it very well, very "Iconic" of course as I'm sure many many remember it well, thanks
One of my very favourite “Places - Lost in Time” videos
I was one of those people who flew into Kai Tak and flew out of Chek Lap Kok after a relatively short stay. I knew when I was flying in that it would be the last time. Very sad.
It seems amazing that such a place existed. A plane-spotter's delight, a pilot's nightmare, and the locals going about their business as if nothing has happened out of the ordinary. The really remarkable thing is how well the surrounding buildings directly underneath the flight path stood up - a true testament to Hong Kong architecture.
In 1998 I was an employee of a Dutch subcontractor and had control over the installation of electrical signs on the new airport and metro subways.
i landed at the old airport KAI TAK and departed 3 months later from the new airport i workt on "chep lap kok".
it was a unique experience
I was in a Cathay 747 landing there in 1993 and wow! Nothing compares. Catching a taxi to the city the smell of aircraft exhaust was crazy. Loved it . . .
I flew into Kai Tak many times as a kid in the 80s visiting relatives. Always fun to see what people were watching on TV through the windows when landing... Of course it was almost always TVB!
This was by far that was by far the craziest landing approach i have ever enjoyed. if i remember correctly, the jumbo flew a sharp left turn shortly before landing, the left wing tip almost seemed to touch the balcony of a skyscraper, at least you could recognize the faces of the residents...my craziest landing approach
My grandad worked as a church missionary back in the 80s and in the 90s, he traveled around the world and he also has a passion in aviation. I saw one of his old pictures in his British Airways flight from Heathrow to Manila via Kai Tak, he even showed me one of his old tapes of the approach, my god it was spectacular!
I missed out landing here by only 18 months.
Hong Kong is fantastic.
I last went through Kai Tak in 1982... flying into there day or night was always an adventure.
Fascinating as always and thank you again.
One of the things that made Hong Kong so special
My dad sailed with maersk in the far east as a bosun so he has been to Hong Kong.
This landing was craziest part...
As far as I know that turn into Kai Tak is known simply as the Kai Tak turn, renowned for its difficulty in aviation circles
Thanks for this well documented video excellent stuff. I flew into Kai Tek in the late 1990’s with Cathay Pacific, a white knuckle landing.
Flying through Hong Kong in a few weeks and I'm gutted that I'm not flying through Kai Tak, as a child my father was an RAF pilot and had lots of stories flying through and out of there!
It closed 25 Yrs ago
@@Euphorica yea I got that from the video
Good work, again and again. Just a joy to watch these well made documentaries. You rock, hard.
I landed at this airport in 1984 onboard a British Caledonian DC10
Love your channel mate. Top notch on all aspects . Kudos !
I always enjoy your 'Places Lost In Time' series. Many thanks.
I was too young to have more good memories of Kaitak. Thanks for the video
Absolutely marvelous video, great job!
A timely reminder of what was there in Kowloon Bay.
I recently worked for three years on the Kai Tak Sports Park that now inhabits the Western end of the runway and there’s a hint at the previous site in the design. But that’s Hong Kong, nothing stays still and nothing lasts forever.
At 65yo I am fascinated by how many places, planes and cars I have experienced/owned/lived during a 40 years IT/Telecoms global consulting career are now the subject of TH-cam content. #goodolddays
Always appreciate your meticulous research
Safety. Can we note that La Guardia, flat, wide open and free of obstacles has way way more accidents on record than Kai Tak.
Because any Joe blow can fly in to any other airport. Kai-Tak required equal parts of skill, crazy and balls.
Apples to oranges; LGA handles around 400,000 flight ops annually, nearly double Kai Tak - passenger numbers are meaningless as they’re almost all heavies as Kai Tak.
LGA is also smack dab in the middle of some of the most complicated and congested airspace in the world. It’s not just “flat, wide open and free of obstacles” 😂 - I’m assuming you’ve never flown an approach into the NYC / NJ area.
@@EstorilEm You assume correctly, but I have flown into Kaitak thousands of times. Airspace, really, just north of Hongkong is China, and they don't take kindly to airspace infringement. A flak battery is definitely more worrying than Newark airspace.
Such a pity that Kai Tak, Concorde, the A380 and Big Jet TV didn't all exist at the same time.
I miss either getting to fly in, or be on the ground watching a Jumbo skim the apartment roofs in Kai-Tak.. :)
If you ever been to Kai Tak for real, you would know how the cabin start to stink immediately after touchdown because the runway happens to be next to the Kai Tak nullah, which carries with it sewage from parts of the city. Or the very yellow-ish terminal interior lights and signs, or the rivers of steam-like condensation running down the ceiling AC ducts near the gates during the summer.
Flown in and out of Kaitek on everything from a DC3 through to the 747. Unforgettable at night landing either direction.
Lived in HK early 90s and specifically on Lantau island. Got to know alot of Aussies employed to build the new airport. I remember the incerdible land reclamation taking place. Subsequently went back many times, post the new airport opening. Grand it was but not a patch on the take off and landing at Kai Tak. Great video, very interesting.
To think HKG will already be 30 years old in less than 4 years. How time flies!
HKG is not 30 years old. However, Chinese regime owns it for almost those 30 years, since 1997.
I miss it - and the Walled City...
@@62smarty walled city is now a park
Just a few nibbles speaking from Hong Kong
The Harbour separating Hong Kong Island and Kowloon is called Victoria Harbour
David Wilson was knighted around the time he became Governor of Hong Kong (The only Governor who was not knighted when taking office was Chris Patten, later Baron Patten)
One of the places that breaks my heart because I wasn't even around to visit.
My grandfather talked about kai tak before
I must say, for a country and people so rich in heritage and history, they certainly don’t seem to hesitate when it comes to destroying it. 🤦♂️
I couldn’t believe the artifacts and historic sites they leveled to build Kai Tak… which is one thing, but to simply erase such an iconic airport (and literally every shred of evidence it ever existed) completely off the map is both egregious and telling.
It would have been an exceptional little GA airport, while paying homage to the original roots of the little Kai Tak training field of the 20s. Plus you could look on as tiny 172s took off or came in for a landing, while imagining the massive 747s and other wide bodies of the past. 😔
The landing alone would enough of a tourist attraction.
Did you delete the old video? Afaik TH-cam doesn't react well to deleting videos with a decent viewership
American here, I never flew in or out through the old airport; but I have through the current one many times. Cathay Pacific was one of my favorite airlines. However, thanks to the CCP Hong Kong is dead and I do not see myself going there ever again even as a transient
Good video.but terrible narration.
What has happened to this dudes voice , delivery , pronounciation...chill out man...stop sounding so prissy...
@@DutchVanHelsing he sounds so overworked