Toughest Approaches...

[Gorilla]

Teguce - bad reputation, never been there. Guatemala City, as the guys have mentioned, is not fun when the wx is down, and it often is, because the controllers often fib a bit so the local carriers can land. Rocks, turbulence, and an active volcano, it's all there, plus the thrill of a slippery runway shaped like a roller coaster.

San Jose CR - ILS to 7, circle to land 25, when the wx is at mins for the circle. You've got to be ready. If not, don't even bother, and just miss, fuel permitting. The big problem is that a lot of guys don't even know they're landing 25 until tower says "Cleared to land, RWY 25" as you are near GS intercept for 7.

 

[Say Again Over]

Funchal, Madeira Islands, quite an interesting visual approach.

 

[tomgoodman]

Tough to divert

Ascension Island (South Atlantic Ocean), especially at night. Humpbacked runway is closely flanked by large, dark, lava-rock hills. Nearest alternate is 1200 miles away.

 

[ReportCanoa]

Ascension Island (South Atlantic Ocean), especially at night. Humpbacked runway is closely flanked by large, dark, lava-rock hills. Nearest alternate is 1200 miles away.

Been there. We diverted and landed on a Humpback whale.

 

[tomgoodman]

Whale tale

Been there. We diverted and landed on a Humpback whale.

Good work. Whale landings can be a challenge. I boltered off a spermwhale once when the arresting harpoon broke. Used a few depth charges to speed him up to a hundred knots or so, then made a short-field landing right on the blubber. It was a grease job.

 

[Say Again Over]

Good one Tom. :nuts: