KAI-TAK 2026 EVENT
Summary:
Let’s start this year by remembering one of the most beautiful and legendary legacy airports in the world: Kai Tak Airport (VHHX) in Hong Kong.
Known for the hair-raising “Checkerboard” approach, Kai Tak was the heart of Asian aviation for over 70 years. While it closed its gates in 1998, its legacy lives on in the flight simulation community. We invite you to grab your favorite heavy-body aircraft and test your skills against the mountains, the skyscrapers of Kowloon, and the infamous 47-degree turn onto Runway 13.
Server: EXPERT
Airport: KAI-TAK AIRPORT - VHHX
TIME:
2026-01-10T17:00:00Z→2026-01-11T17:00:00Z
Event Rules & Restrictions
To ensure a smooth flow of traffic and a realistic 1990s atmosphere, the following rules are in effect:
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VHHH IS CLOSED DURING EVENT: The use of the current Hong Kong International Airport (VHHH) is prohibited for this event. Do not spawn at, depart from, or land at VHHH.
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Airspace Priority: All ATC services and traffic flow should be dedicated exclusively to VHH in Hong-Kong Any aircraft found operating at VHHH will be ignored by event organizers.
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Era-Appropriate Airplanes: Not mandatory, but I highly encourage “90s” aircrafts, 747 is one of the most eye-catching ones.
- Boeing 757, 737, DC-10, MD-11, Boeing 747-200, Boeing 747-400, 777, 737, B717, Airbus A330 etc.
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Landing & Departure Runway: 13
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General Aviation: General aviation aircrafts were restricted to fly only between 7:00AM - 9:00 AM). If you want to fly general aviation aircrafts you can do it early morning, after that, the GA will be restricted.
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Minimum Flight Distance: All inbound flights should have a minimum distance of 200 NM to ensure proper spacing and sequencing.
HOW TO APPROACH?
There are plenty of tutorials and charts available on the internet. The most straight forward and Infinite Flight compatible one is in the airport’s NOTAM itself.
How to do this high pressure approach?
INSTRUCTIONS:
Arrivals are from the West Only:
When arriving from the West, begin your descent to 4,500 feet upon reaching the “CC” NDB. At this point, you should reduce your airspeed to below 160 knots.
The Approach Path:
Track the NDB inbound toward the “SC” NDB while monitoring your distance to the airport and descending to 2,000 feet. When you are approximately 7 NM from the airfield (roughly midway between CC and SC), extend the landing gear and slow down to your VREF (landing) speed.
Navigation Warning:
Do not forget to disengage NAV mode. Once you are established on the track between CC and SC, switch to Heading Mode or hand-fly. If you remain in NAV mode, the aircraft may unwantedly bank to the right as it nears the SC NDB, pulling you off the approach path.
The Final Turn:
As you reach the SC NDB, you should be at an altitude between 2,000 / 2,500 feet. At this stage, you must hand-fly the aircraft and make the final turn to align with the runway. If you don’t slow down before you will not be able to slow down at this point because you still need to descend at higher rate. You will need to manage your descent rate, speed and right turn simultaneously to maintain the glidepath. If you make your approach correctly before reaching to SC you will land if you miss one of the steps above you won’t be able to land safely.
Go-Around Policy:
If you are unable to align with the runway properly, or if you find yourself too high, too fast, or too far off-center, you must abort the landing and execute a go-around.
There are many guidelines and chars available to replicate.
Here’s one from IVAO Korea: VHHX_CHART
- VHHH Closure: The current Hong Kong International Airport (VHHH) will be temporarily closed during this event. Please do not spawn at or use VHHH as an alternate.
- ATC Invitation: All ATC controllers are welcome to join and provide services for this event.
- Center Frequency: I highly encourage a Center (CTR) controller to staff the airspace. This will be vital for organizing traffic before the approach and reducing the workload for Approach and Tower controllers.
- Best Screenshot Will Be Featured: Try to capture at least 5 planes on approach path at the same time, and capture the airplanes when they do the final turn to align with the runway, the best screenshot will be featured in this thread.