It is not everytime you get to see a plane landing at close quarters and that too at an airport which is considered to be the most difficult to land.
As Captain Chimi Dorji says, "Paro airport is difficult but not dangerous." (Captain Chimi Dorji has been working for Druk Air aka Royal Bhutan Airlines for 25 years)
Most airports offer about 10 nautical miles (about 18 kms) of distance for pilots to gauge the most aligned approach onto the landing strip, this airport accords only one or two nautical miles, which literally means there is no room for error.
Only 50 pilots are certified to land at Paro due to the demanding conditions.
I was also fortunate enough to videograph the landing. It was a lucky day for me as I could capture three aircrafts landing and one helicopter taking off.
The third aircraft I videographed was a small plane with propellers
While waiting for the aircraft, I saw these Raven (national bird of Bhutan) circling above. Murder in the air?
As I did not carry my tripod, I could not use my big camera, so had to make do with my mobile camera. Made a video on it and that is one item ticked off my bucket list.
Read somewhere that there is a Budha in the cockpit.
Well captured. Can appreciate the demanding conditions there, quite similar to that in Lukla, Nepal where only STOL aircrafts, mostly Dorniers operate.
Interesting post about Paro airport! I have also heard of other dangerous airports, such as Gibraltar one, where the runway is between a rock and a crowded city and the sea on either side. Have a nice new week !
That looks very tricky indeed. Years back, landing at Ushuaia (another tricky airport) many of the passengers applauded the pilot when we landed safely.
I had no idea only 50 pilots are certified to land there—that’s wild! The ravens circling overhead add such a cool, eerie vibe too. And hey, mobile cameras come through when you need them!
Dear Joe, Many thanks for the video clips and the photos from Paro. As always, it is so uplifting to watch your videos and enjoy your photos. Warmly, Bharat W.
Pilots are very skilled at flying, and landing at a difficult airport would make me even more impressed. Wonderful video! Wonderful photos! It was interesting to me to know that the Raven was Bhutan's national bird. Thank you for sharing this lovely post.
18 comments:
Quite the vantage points!
I was once at this beautiful airport and saw, at close quarters, how tricky the landing can be.
Well captured. Can appreciate the demanding conditions there, quite similar to that in Lukla, Nepal where only STOL aircrafts, mostly Dorniers operate.
Interesting post about Paro airport!
I have also heard of other dangerous airports, such as Gibraltar one, where the runway is between a rock and a crowded city and the sea on either side.
Have a nice new week !
Hi Joe,
Thanks for sharing - lovely photographs and videography and video compilation excellent as usual. Well done you talented soul.
Love & Regards,
George
THANKS FOR SHARING THE LANDING OF THE PLANE AT THIS DIFFICULT AIRPORT
Thanks for sharing this video, I enjoyed watching it.
That looks very tricky indeed. Years back, landing at Ushuaia (another tricky airport) many of the passengers applauded the pilot when we landed safely.
The landing dangerously beautiful. The place looks simply beautiful Thanks for the lovely video.
It's just beautiful to watch the plane approaching to land.
I had no idea only 50 pilots are certified to land there—that’s wild! The ravens circling overhead add such a cool, eerie vibe too. And hey, mobile cameras come through when you need them!
Dear Joe,
Many thanks for the video clips and the photos from Paro.
As always, it is so uplifting to watch your videos and enjoy your photos.
Warmly, Bharat W.
Beautifully captured. The view is really breathtaking.
George Joseph
That does look like a difficult landing to make! Beautiful spot, though. :)
A location to see all the urban view and plane landing
Impressive!
Wow. I don't know if I'd want to be a passenger on one of those planes, but those pilots are definitely the best of the best.
Pilots are very skilled at flying, and landing at a difficult airport would make me even more impressed. Wonderful video! Wonderful photos! It was interesting to me to know that the Raven was Bhutan's national bird. Thank you for sharing this lovely post.
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