Druk Air Takeoff & Landing at Paro, Bhutan: A Challenging Airport Approach

Departure from Paro Valley

• ✈️ The flight departs from Paro using runway 33, taking off visually and heading North to navigate out of the valley.
• ⛰️ Turns are widened with increasing radius to facilitate climbing out of the valley, with speed reduced for tighter turns.
• 🗺️ After reaching minimum heights of 16,000 feet, the flight sets a direct course to CSU, entering Nepali airspace.

En Route to Kathmandu & Mount Everest Sighting

• 🏔️ The flight path offers views of the highest Himalayan Mountains, including Mount Everest (8,850m), Lhotse (8,516m), and Makalu (8,463m).
• ☁️ Kathmandu reports fine visibility with few clouds, though light turbulence is expected due to 17°C temperatures.
• ⏱️ Approximately 25 minutes of flight time remain until landing in Kathmandu.

Kathmandu Landing Procedure

• ⬇️ Descent to 11,500 feet is planned, with configuration changes starting around 21 nautical miles out.
• 🛬 Flaps are set to configuration two at 21 nautical miles, with a pre-selected altitude of 8,900 feet and a 3.5° glide slope.
• ⚠️ A steep descent of 5.3° is initiated from 8,900 feet down to 3 nautical miles from the airfield, followed by a 3° glide slope to minimums of 5,000 feet.
• 🔄 A go-around or missed approach procedure is available if the runway is not visually acquired.

Return Flight to Paro

• ✈️ After landing in Kathmandu, preparations begin for the return flight to Paro.
• 📈 The flight KB 401 climbs through 31,000 feet, leveling off at 33,000 feet.
• ⛰️ A clear view of Mount Everest is again visible on the left-hand side during the climb.

Challenging Paro Runway 15 Approach

• 🔄 The approach to Paro involves flying overhead the runway, turning left on the left side of the valley, and visually increasing the radius to descend onto the final approach.
• 🏡 A specific obstacle, referred to as "Mr. Smith's house," must be avoided on the right during the final turn.
• 🛬 The landing on runway 15 is challenging due to a small hill, requiring alignment with the runway at approximately 100 to 50 feet.
• ✅ All checklists are completed, and the landing is executed with spoilers, reverse thrust, and auto-brakes engaged.