Pakistan’s Hidden Thrill Ride - Understanding the Skardu Runway 14R Approach
A Gtmkm98 Airport Guide - Inspired by Other Guides across the Community
Wedged in the heart of Kashmir, Skardu International Airport (OPSD) is located in a bowl between mountains over double the elevation of the airport (7301 ft). As such, flying into the airport is extremely rigorous and requires constant concentration. It has experienced recent growth, attracting flights across Pakistan, and even a route to Dubai International Airport.
In my honest opinion, stretches of this approach are more intense and risky than the infamous Paro International Airport approaches, with no RNAV guidance or clearly stated go-around procedure. However, the runway here is significantly longer than the runway at Paro, and there is much more room for error in most parts of the procedure.
The most important parts: no aircraft larger than an A320, slow down earlier than usual, and lock in as soon as you start your descent! Treat this approach with as much dedication as Paro or Kai Tak!
The following guide is made for turbojets, particularly the A320 (which was the guinea pig for my observations). Without further ado, let’s continue.
Overview
I will start by providing you with an IFR chart of the region. Your destination is OPSD, and the chart leaves much to be desired. However, what is certain is your route into the mountains. From KAGLO, you will follow J122 (KAGLO-AKTIX-BUNGI-DELDA-BIREP-(SD)) east into the bowl. The following is a line of altitudes I followed, but most aircraft are higher than what I did.
| WPT | Altitude |
|---|---|
| DELDA | FL175 |
| SD NDB | FL155 |
With those conditions in mind, I will start with the proper guide.
Top of Descent to BIREB
Once you start with your descent, you need to lock in. As soon as you cross FL280, slow down to 250 knots. When the ETE Destination initially reaches 10:00, slow down to 210 knots. After crossing DELDA, maintain the aforementioned FL175 until you pass over this mountain:
At about 20.6 NM from BIREB, you should be clear to descend towards FL155. Maintain a slow enough descent rate to ensure you have room above the other peaks along the path. Slow your descent to around 180 knots. About 6.6 NM from BIREB, you should see this clearing to your right:
Once you see the clearing, you can turn off the IFR Path towards the clearing and ultimately SD NDB.
BIREB to SD NDB
Once you are aligned with the aforementioned clearing, you can continue your descent to FL155, making minor course corrections along the way to avoid ridges along the way.
Before you reach the NDB, slow down to 160 kts. This should carry you through most of the approach ahead.
Once you finally reach SD NDB at FL155, the main approach begins. You will be on the ground in less than five minutes.
Initial Turn
When directly over SD NDB, you will immediately turn left to about heading 125, which should turn you towards this line of mountains:
At this point, you will set your altimeter to 9300.
When over the settlement at the bottom of this picture (closest to the furthest mountain), you will turn left once again to heading 090, which should turn you to a view like this:
First Turn Back Towards Airport
Let’s return to this picture. Your job now is to thread the needle between the two mountains in the bottom left. You will do this by turning left heading 270 at 12500ft while continuing your descent towards 9300ft. Your key is to stay above the mountains while passing between them, shown by these pictures:
Let autopilot do its job. If it plays out correctly, you will roll out directly over the Shigar River and will be on a direct course back towards Skardu airport.
Keep your speed at 160 for now and continue your constant descent to 9300. This next picture is a rough estimate of what your aircraft will be doing at this point in the approach:
Downwind Section
When you reach 9300 (which should be in the vicinity of the airport), you will turn right to roughly heading 330. You should reach 9300 at about this point:
This will set you on course towards a ridgeline. When you finish the turn to 330, start a slow descent; be cautious, because the ground slopes upward heavily to the north of the airport. Slow your speed to about 150/140.
When you know you’re clear of the ridge to the right of the aircraft, make a quick right turn to about 350, as shown in the above picture. When you reach the community of Qomera (center of picture), proceed to the next part of this guide.
The Hardest Part of this Approach
When over the city of Qomera, turn left IMMEDIATELY. Keep a slow descent (if not level) and a bank of about 30 degrees to line up with the runway.
If you finish your curve offset of the runway, don’t be afraid to correct. However, you can always go around if the turnout is too bad.
If not, congratulations! You can take it easy now, and carry on with the last of the landing as usual. Unlike Paro, a go-around is not as critical if you land beyond the main strips. Take a deep breath and taxi to the gates, you made it!
This document gives a much greater and more thorough view to the approach I am describing today. If you want specifics, including visual go-around procedures and alternative procedures, this is a phenomenal resource.
After seeing this approach on Instagram, I wanted to give it a try on Infinite Flight immediately. I was in love as soon as I tried it in the simulator, and I felt convicted to share the thrill on the Infinite Flight Community for all of you to enjoy. The airport is 3D and is ready for anybody to fly into right now.
Thank you, and have a great day!
-Gtmkm98
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