Consult the Hong Kong AIP and other appropriate aeronautical publications for accurate and up to date information. This page only provides background material and reflects the personal opinion and experience of the author.
Key Factors
- All runway 07 approaches are from right base.
- Sequence order can not be changed after about 20 nm from touchdown.
- Distance to touchdown is fixed from inside 20 nm from touchdown.
- Departures transit the Approach Sector.
- Significant terrain south of the airfield.
- Right base leg close to VMMC arrivals and departures.
- Narrow right base vectoring airspace (about 2 NM).
Normal in trail spacing between arrivals
- Runway 07L 5 nm (normal).
- Runway 07L 6 nm (poor weather).
- Runway 07R 8 nm.
- Between runway 07L and runway 07R 3 nm.
Spacing for runway 07R allows a departure between arrivals.
Spacing for runway 07L provides separation between a missed approach from runway 07L and a departure from runway 07R.
Discussion
The short final (7 to 8 nm) for runway 07L/R means that it should be relatively easy to achieve the normal spacing because speed differences on final will not significantly erode spacing. The task is however complicated by very restricted airspace in the base leg area, single sided pattern, need to establish on the ILS inside 7-8 nm, and separating arrivals and departures.
The sequence must be established by about 20 nm from touchdown and after that point (LIMES) there are few options for adjusting the track miles and none for changing the order. Aircraft that go through the ILS need immediate attention to have any chance of getting back onto final before the glide-path.
The RTF loading has an impact on efficiency during busy periods because of missed and repeated transmissions. The short final and single sided pattern mean that the timing of the turn on to final must be relatively precise.
Arriving via MELON - TD - SOKOE
Expect FL110 by TD with descent after about 5 nm West of TD (clear of VHHH departures via TD). Descent may later be affected by VHHH southbound departures. The level at TD is for:
- Departues Sector to climb VMMC departures above VHHH arrivals
- keeping arrivals on or below (just) profile entering Approach Sector
The points above allow Approach some flexibility in when to descend arrivals from the East. If traffic allows the Departures Controller may omit the 'reach by' instruction.
Reduced distance to touchdown (-5 nm) by heading 265 degrees (+- 5 degrees) from the TD area combined with a short base leg or single turn to the ILS
When necessary left turns onto 200 to 230 degrees provide additional miles for sequencing. This may happen after crossing the Southbound SID track but before SOKOE allowing arrivals to continue descent and departures to climb.
Arrival via MANGO - GUAVA - SOKOE
Expect FL130 by MANGO with subsequent descent dictated by the levels of MANGO arrivals and departures to the South.
Reduced distance to touchdown from MANGO achieved by turning left towards LIMES (-8 nm). Arrivals from SIERA may be turned towards LIMES any time before MANGO depending on their position in the sequence.
Sequencing is normally accomplished by varying the point for a left turn towards LIMES or issuing a downwind heading. If necessary MANGO arrivals may be treated similar to MELON with turns to 200 to 230 between GUAVA and SOKOE (this means the sequence has problems, usually too many aircraft in the sequence ahead).