VHHH · IGS 13 · 1998
The Fly Kai Tak blog
New features, bug fixes and notes from the Kai Tak approach.
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Flying & Procedures12
Scenery & Weather43
Kowloon Walled City, rebuilt from photographs
Kowloon Walled City is rebuilt as one solid mass of 10 to 14 storey blocks with balconies, aerials, rooftop shacks, shop signs and tube-lit windows at night.
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Terminal gate blocks, the nullah and the tank farm
Kai Tak's terminal gets protruding gate blocks for its jet bridges, the nullah crosses the apron under three taxi bridges, and the tank farm moves.
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The real road network, as it was in 1998
Fly Kai Tak's traffic now uses Hong Kong's official road network, with Route 8, the Hung Hom Bypass, Kai Tak and other post-1998 roads removed.
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The Regal Kai Tak Hotel, rebuilt from photos
The Regal Kai Tak Hotel rebuilt from photos and its roof plan: the L-shaped tower, glass bands, brick end walls, podium terrace, name signs and night lights.
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The Big Buddha at Ngong Ping
The Tian Tan Buddha at Ngong Ping arrives: the bronze statue, its altar, steps and Po Lin Monastery, floodlit at night, on newly extended Lantau terrain.
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Kwai Chung container terminals come to life
The Kwai Chung container terminals get more ships, detailed quay cranes, offices, truck gates, freight stations, depots, yard traffic and working lighters.
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Apron mast lights off on clear days
The apron floodlight masts' lamps and obstruction lights now switch off on clear days and come on at night, in overcast weather and in fog.
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Red floodlight masts over the stands
Tall red floodlight masts now stand between the stands across the Kai Tak apron, as in 1998 photos, with lamps and obstruction lights at night.
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The car park moves to the runway end, with the airport hotel and its footbridge
The Kai Tak car park moves to the runway end of the terminal frontage, with the airport hotel across Prince Edward Road East and its footbridge.
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The car park roof view moves to the new car park
The Car park roof spotter view now sits on the new landside car park, at the runway-end rail, with a clear view over the terminal.
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13 more parking bays from the Kai Tak plan
Checked against an unofficial Kai Tak plan: new stands 21-26, an east apron with stands 51-57, and south apron stands 71-81 now nose-in.
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The car park moves to the landside of the terminal
The Kai Tak car park now runs along the landside of the terminal, with footbridges, the clock and airport sign on its end wall and spotters on the roof.
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Boats along the seawall, not in the inlet
Boats pass right alongside Kai Tak's runway seawall again, as in the 1990s, but never enter the inlet under the taxiways to the south apron.
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Maintenance apron now matches the flight apron
The Kai Tak maintenance apron in front of the hangars now uses the same concrete colour as the main flight apron, with no dark patch or seam.
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One bridge, a joined-up apron and a wider taxiway
Kai Tak's apron now runs into the south apron, one bridge crosses the inlet, and the taxiway tarmac widens near the Runway 31 end.
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The control tower is back on the terminal roof
The Kai Tak control tower moves to its real spot on the terminal roof at the runway end, rebuilt from period photos with outward-leaning glass.
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Harbour shipping follows the fairways
Moving ships follow the Marine Department fairways and traffic separation schemes, one way and keeping right, while most harbour vessels lie moored or at anchor.
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South apron, helipads and inlet taxiways
Kai Tak's south apron with stands 71-81, helipads and taxiway bridges over the inlet, plus fuel tanks beside the terminal and bitumen at the maintenance hangars.
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Inside the 1998 terminal: staff and signs
The Kai Tak terminal now has a 1998 interior: check-in desks, departure immigration, a shop arcade, arrivals, signs and staff including armed security.
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