There is even a point when the bottom of the plane comes perilously close to mountaintop homes on approach, one red cliffside home is the key focal point for pilots on their approach. ", The proportion of children on flights heading to this airport is perhaps higher than any other in the country (or world, for that matter). Pilots are forced to make a dramatic sharp turn and land near the valley, and the experience is often compared to landing on an aircraft carrier. Site by TMBR. During landing, pilots are forced to make a series of tight, low altitude turns, including an 180-degree turn around Citi Field. Paul Andersen. A classic safe town. Bestlifeonline.com is part of the Meredith Health Group, Orlando International Airport; Orlando, FL, Newark Liberty International Airport; Newark, NJ, Palm Beach International Airport; Palm Beach, FL, Laughlin/Bullhead International Airport; Bullhead City, AZ, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport; Arlington, VA, Norfolk International Airport; Norfolk, VA, San Diego International Airport; San Diego, CA, Toronto Pearson International Airport; Toronto, Canada. The food [is terrible] and it's insanely expensive. The short runway also abruptly ends at the Sea on both ends, forcing pilots to hit the brakes immediately after landing. If you were Ref plus 20 and broke out right at minimums, you were not going to get on the runway where you should. Other dangerous airport landings not included in this list include; Alexandros Papadiamantis airport on the Greek island of Skiathos, MCAS Futenma in Okinawa, Damascus International Airport, Aspen . Aspen Extended | Aerosoft Shop It is also one of three airports in the country's largest airport system so the skies around LaGuardia are packed with jets. This small airport located in Northern California is about as precarious you can get. It also features 1,000-foot sheer cliffs on both ends of the runway and strong vertical turbulence during winter months caused by the mountain winds. The airport is mostly used by 'private' jets Gulfstreams, Learjets and the likes are very common. You might think that King Kong is dangerous but his native island (Saba provided the silhouette for Skull Island in the original King Kong film) in the Dutch Caribbean (a 15-minute flight from St. Maarten) has an airport that incites more fear than the famous gorilla ever could. The Aspen/Pitkin County Airport also has an airport operating curfew. The circumstances of the crash immediately aroused suspicion: Aspen-Pitkin County Airport did not allow night landings and had instituted a curfew at 6:58 p.m., but the crash occurred at 7:02. . . Three years minimum experience. Caroline Bonynge, the airport's director of operations, said the private plane "had a hard landing and lost tires, but did not have a belly landing.". In a recent letter to the editor, longtime local aviator John McBride suggested that the gargantuan expansion proposed for the Aspen airport seems to be targeting the wrong airstrip. Many of these airports are accessible only by well trained and qualified pilots. Telluride Regional Airport, Telluride, Colo. I found myself gripping the armrest as my plane attempted a landing in Africa on a remote sandy airstrip, the landing was called off and we needed to circle around several times in order to scare off several resilient giraffes that were occupying the runway. All of these factors combined sometimes force nose-to-nose takeoffs and landings. Alexandros Papadiamantis airport on the Greek island of Skiathos, MCAS Futenma in Okinawa, Damascus International Airport, Aspen Airport, St. Bart's and many others. Due to non-standard runway/taxiway separation, the airport has a 95ft (29m) aircraft wingspan limitation. Many of the things that make Aspen so desirable also make the city's airport dangerous. Instead, McBride suggests developing the Rifle airport as a more sensible regional airport, taking advantage of a much larger and flatter valley, an existing 7,000-foot-long East/West runway with takeoffs/landings in the same direction, and with an elevation almost 2,500 feet lower than Aspen to allow greater lift and milder weather conditions. American Airlines pilots likely breathed a sigh of relief last fall when the airline decided to discontinue flights thereostensibly due to low demand, though we'd bet pilot hatred might have had something to do with it. "Cancellations and delays everywhere. In order to land in snowy Aspen, pilots must be specially certified to do so, warns Airfare Watchdog. Airport operations staff operates from the airport's Operations Center, constructed in 2006 on the west side of the airport. All rights reserved. According to the Aviation Global Incident Map, there wereover 500 emergency landings and 20 plane crashes worldwide this year, and none of them were at any of the most dangerous airports. Due to the lack of runway lights, flights are only permitted during daylight, which is fine when there are 24-hours of it during summer days but not when the opposite reality takes hold in winter. "Unfortunately, it doesn't stop there. Under the direction of, Hiring Assistant Manager. There is no second chance landing here due to the runway position, and pilots must make it perfectly the first time. Per Title X of the Pitkin County Code, the airport has several unique operating limitations. Swipe is only available in chrome dev tools mobile mode. But the truth is that underneath that crisp blue uniform and bright smile is often someone who hates much of his or her job. Aspen XP | Aerosoft US Shop Any advice on what i can tell her to reassure her that the ASE airport is safe even a night landing? How dangerous is the landing at this rather unassuming airport with the microscopic 6,500-foot runway tucked in among 18,000-foot peaks of the Himalayan Mountains? National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems, Automated surface observing system (ASOS), Learn how and when to remove this template message, "FAA expands weather camera coverage in Colorado and Montana General Aviation News", "Nonstop Growth in Austin Leads to More Nonstops to Austin", "Delta is back: Airline's return to Aspen market drives down airfare, at least temporarily", "Aspen airport remains closed after crash that killed 1, injured 2", "NTSB concludes winds, pilot error led to fatal crash at Aspen-Pitkin County Airport", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Aspen/Pitkin_County_Airport&oldid=1136741674. It's no wonder it was high on Honeywell's list of most-hated airports. Aspen Airport: pretty in summer and potentially dangerous in winter. Just in time for summer, one of the busiest flying seasons of the year, Airfarewatchdog.com, part of the Smarter Travel Media Network, has released its picks for the scariest airports in the United States. The Aspen airport is rated the most dangerous airport in the United States. Read on to learn which ones they areand remember to show some sympathy towards your captain the next time you're flying to Butte, Montana. Positioned between mountains with a very short runway, the landing can be as dramatic as the ascent to the famed mountain. This can lead to occasional delays, cancellations, and weight restrictions depending on wind strength and direction. Flying to Aspen has never been easier and is, by far, the quickest way to start your vacation. Parking is free for the first half hour in short and long term parking lots. Combining air and ground travel to accommodate regional needs well into the future is good planning. And the committee members never received the requested performance specifications for the different aircraft proposed for future service into the airport. Almost a month later I made a dramatic landing in Bhutan that was like a scene out of Star Wars where my commercial airliner had to bank dramatically to fit in between the narrow, remote mountain terrain. When we landed, I counted at least 20 planes sitting around waiting for gates, apparently some had been waiting for two-plus hours.". Aspen-Pitkin county / Sardy Field in Colorado is listed as one of America's most dangerous airports. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. It's in the middle of nowhere, and almost completely deserted. Fair Game. Telluride is the highest-elevation commercial airport in America at 9,070 feet. Now I see there is no plan for a west side taxiway, but instead, a midfield crossing. All Rights Reserved. You can also count on excited kids to do any number of other disruptive thingspush the call button, play with the seats, and, perhaps most grating, start singing tunes from Frozen. This airport is thought to be one of the most dangerous in the United States because it is in a very dangerous area. Aspen/Pitkin County Airport Flight Arrivals & Departures. Catalina Airport has an altitude of 1,602 feet, dubbing it the Airport in the Sky, and is known to have downdrafts and turbulence on approach. The airport meets modified FAA D-III airport reference code standards. uilt on the bare volcanic rock of Hut Point Peninsula on Ross Island with a. In March 2019, there were 95 aircraft based at this airport: 66 single-engine, 10 multi-engine, 13 jet, 5 helicopter, and 1 glider. To make things worse, one writer points out that the crosswinds here are intense, due to the airport's water-adjacent location. Aircraft weight is restricted to 100,000 pounds (45,000kg) maximum certificated gross landing weight or less. Face coverings are optional in the Aspen Airport per TSA Executive Order. The only game in town was to descend to 16,000 and when you arrived over SKIER, you either had a good visual on the airport or you started holding and requested clearance to your alternate. In a place with so much wonderment and joy due to many great planners, managers and employees, it is inconceivable that we would tolerate a dangerous airport, let alone the most dangerous in the U.S. P.S. Professional, strong work ethic, personable, long term commitment. Additionally, the runway drops off so much on both sides that pilots at one end of it can't see planes at the other. But pilots only have one shot at landing at this snowy airport because touch-and-go landings are prohibited. Aspen Airport: ASE | Aspen/Pitkin County Airport, ASE Flight Information I personally experienced the frequent wind gusts and poor weather conditions that hamper the pilots as they must make a direct head-on landing, with the biggest fear of having a large aircraft overshoot the runway if not landed perfectly on target. Most Dangerous Airports in the World | Reader's Digest The approach was unique, because unlike most VOR approaches, you had better be configured to land when you crossed the VOR, then fly Ref plus 10 to minimums. And if you're delayed, you can be sure you'll hear some smart comments.". Wellington International Airport / New Zealand This airport features a one-lane 6,351-foot runway that appears to startand end in the water. The tricky approach through the mountainous area is well known for itsgusty winds which make it extremely difficult to maneuver landings. Airfarewatchdog.com suspects this is because the airport requires a swift descent at high altitude. Meanwhile, the $400 million estimate for Aspens expansion is a princely sum for grandiose designs at the most dangerous airport in the country. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Big Jets At Aspen Airport - The Most Dangerous Airport In America The destination is particularly treacherous due to strong and highly variable Atlantic winds, mountains on one side and the ocean on the other. And dont forget that the runway was extended from 5,249 feet to 9, 124 feet by building it out into the ocean on 180 concrete pillars it is now like a runway on stilts! An airport that regains control over ground issue (while the FAA handles air safety), can discriminate against various commercial and private aircraft. Although the views of the Empire State Building are breathtaking during takeoff and landing from LaGuardia, this airport sits a little too close to the Manhattan skyline. Everest. Aspen - Wikitravel Pilots Address the Hazards of an Aspen Arrival | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Content Policy. Because of strict noise restrictions, pilots must take off at maximum throttle and then abruptly pull back on their engines. Searching the world for the most amazing People, Places and Things. The airport has seen several crash landings, including an incident involving a Gulfstream charter plane in 2001 which killed all 18 people on board, while in 2011, a private plane crashed at the airport and erupted into a ball of flames after trying to land in heavy winds.. One pilot, writing on Reddit, laid out his reasons for avoiding it: This despised airport is a major pain in large part because it's the most heavily guarded airspace in the world, seriously restricting pilots' options (unless they want to have a fighter jet roll up next to them). "Just a complete pain from 18,000 feet until you're at the gate," one pilot writes on Reddit. And on takeoff, pilots must ascend quickly and sharply turn left so they don't fly over the White House. xhr.open('POST', 'https://www.google-analytics.com/collect', true); Such a plan would make our dangerous airport even more so. The runway is only five feet above sea level and all three runways are completely submerged during high tide. Due to the lack of runway lights, flights are only permitted during daylight, thus hindering flights duringthe winter when the sun never rises. McBride writes: A plan to spend $400 million to move the runway 80 feet west (bringing the flight path nearer to Shale Bluffs) and to build a new terminal up to the size of almost two football fields will not change any of these concerns.. Aspen airport is located in a valley so there is always high winds. 1 expressed concern of the Airport Vision Committee was and is safety.. Aspen airport reopens after landing incident Saturday, no injuries Since its founding, The Town of Carbondale is accepting applications for our Parks Department temporary/seasonal positions. Throw in a legal tailwind, plus ice and snow on the runway and you were set up for disaster. } ); American Airlines and United Airlines fly . Bookmarks are saved to your account and can be accessed from any device. I explained to him, since the weather was right at minimums we should be fully configured and Ref plus 10 crossing The VOR. They just let them do it.". Due to its surrounding terrain structures in the North, East and South, Aspen Airport only has one possible starting direction. It's old. Be prepared to wait awhile if you make plans with these signs. But fear not, fruity drinks with umbrellas are waiting to relax your nerves once you touchdown! Copyright 2023 Aspen/Pitkin County Airport, ASE. document.addEventListener( 'DOMContentLoaded', function() { The Aspen/Pitkin County Airport operates on a core set of community values: safety, health and well-being, environmental responsibility, and operational efficiency. "In order to land in snowy Aspen, pilots must be specially certified to do so," warns Airfare Watchdog. The airport needed to be built on permafrost with the runway insulated against the ground so it will not melt during the summer. Under the runways are culverts allowing water to run from the mountain. Bus service provided by RFTA is free into Aspen and Snowmass Village. Jeff Bogle is an Iris Awardwinning photographer, avid traveler and English football fanatic who regularly covers travel, culture, cars, health, business, the environment and more for Reader's Digest. } The 17 Scariest Airport Landings In The World, And Why You - Forbes From the very beginning, the airport has seen many crash landing including the deadly one in 2001 of a Gulfstream charter plane. In 2005, a Boeing 737 barreled through the airport fence and crashed in the middle of a major highway after skidding on the runway. The runway sits between two cliffs so passengers better hope their pilot doesn't overshoot this runway. Paul Andersens column appears on Mondays. ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb. Aspens airport, according to the Telegraph, fits the bill thanks to its steep approach and mountains surrounding the runway which force those specially trained pilots to land and take off in opposite directions while using the single runway. This 5,500-foot runway is not really that hard to land at, but the city's main street intersects with the runway and has to be closed when a plane lands. The Eight Most Dangerous Airports in the World - outdoorrevival E kohlbrenner \rTheBest RBLX \rStuntpilot22 \rTim Kluttig\rEthan Glucroft \rweebletter weed \rManuel Salmun \r\r\r\rMerch: https://teespring.com/stores/swiss001\r\rBecome Channel Member: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYiaHzwtsww6phfxwUtZv8w/join\r\rLinks:\rSoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/swiss001\rPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/Swiss001\rTwitter: https://twitter.com/Swiss001IF\rIFC: https://community.infinite-flight.com/u/Swiss\rSubscribe now: https://www.youtube.com/swiss001\r\rSpecs:\r\rMobile:\riPhone XS Max\rCheap iPad 2018\r\rPC: \r15\" MacBookPro Touchbar (highest specs) for editing.\rGaming pc (GTX 2070, 32gb ram, i7 9700K 8 coresx3,60) for flight sims and stuff\r\rSwiss001 2019\r\rFor business inquiries: swiss001@gmx.de\r\rLinks marked with a \"*\" are affiliate links. ASPEN Pilots will tell you that flying into and out of Aspen can be dangerous and so does the data. Commercial interests are clearly at the controls, guiding the proposed Hindenburg of an airport expansion on the assumption that bigger jets will bring more passengers and more money to enrich insatiable commercial interests. Provided Pilots will tell you that flying into and out of Aspen can be dangerous and so does the data. The 40 spaced parking lot is located in a manner to allow motorists to loop and re-access the terminal without getting back on HWY-82. That crash killed 18 people onboard. If we pause now and take the time to get our options clear and properly explored, especially those not yet considered, there is a lot we can do to assure ourselves and our guests that we have done all we can to make our airport as safe and as first-class as our mountains. Morphing the quaint Aspen airport of today the most dangerous airport in the U.S. into a Jetsons-style spaceport is being sold to the public as an economic necessity, when its not. The runway at Aspen-Pitkin County Airport was lengthened and widened in 1983 to be 7,006 feet long by 100 feet wide. Two Colorado airports are among the 10 'most challenging' in U.S. And to make matters worse, this airport offers no lights or instrument aid so in bad weather landing is impossible. Through all these years, we were operating Lear 24Ds, Lear 35s, Lear 36s and Falcon 20s, both Model C andD. Large flocks of birds also live close to the airport and are frequently spotted in the skies. Aspen Pilots Want to Improve Airport's Safety Record Leave the runway where it is, and dont move it 80 feet to the west, putting incoming and outgoing aircraft closer to Shale Bluffs, and. Toncontin International Airport in Tegucigalpa, Honduras (ORLANDO SIERRA/AFP/Getty Images). 10 Scariest U.S. Airports - ABC News Bookmarks are saved to your account and can be accessed from any device. Copyright 2023 AIN Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Also known as Lukla Airport, as it's in Lukla, Nepal, the airport is located 9,838 feet above sea level. You may opt-out by. Today, I would vote no. if( 'moc.enilnoefiltseb' !== location.hostname.split('').reverse().join('') ) { All Rights Reserved. My friend looked online and saw all the scary things people say about the Aspen airport and is freaking out. On January 5, the wind was as strong as 28 knots from the northwest just before the ill-fated Challengers landing. Reagan National Airport, Washington, D.C. Pilots have to be especially skilled to fly into this difficult airport. Well, you may have been taking off or landing at one of the scariest airports in the country. He is the proud dad of teen daughters. ASE - Aspen-Pitkin County Airport (Aspen, Colorado) "Pilots flying into Aspen-Pitkin County Airport require special training as they face a steep approach path and must use a separate navigation aid if they need to pursue a missed approach. Somehow there has never been a major accident.Find out about the little-known airplane feature that could save your life. Airplane pilot group on a mission to curb crashes in and out of Aspen Check out more of the scariest airports to take off from and land at. Thats a regional question that should be weighed by the larger social values of scale and compatibility where the downvalley workforce could potentially benefit. Reagan National sits between two overlapping no-fly zones, so pilots have to watch out for the Pentagon and CIA headquarters. Per a Forbes report, this regional airport serving the 12 million people of Sao Paulo is located in a heavily built-up part of the huge city and gives you the impression that you are scraping the tops of high rise buildings as you land. In addition to the busy metropolis rising up from the ground to make this airport one of the worlds most dangerous, the runways are considered the most slippery in the world and have resulted in a large number of fatal crashes.. Another pilot said frontal passages create turbulence across the mountains so severe at times that an approach is not even possible. Flight Tracker | Aspen/Pitkin County Airport, ASE Years later when the VOR approach to RW 15 was commissioned, we flew it religiously. The final approach slope is slightly less than seven degrees, about equal to that for the UKs London City Airport. It's . xhr.setRequestHeader('Content-Type', 'text/plain;charset=UTF-8'); They'll walk off the plane with six or seven drinks and a pile of snacks in their bag. [1] Aspen/Pitkin Co. Airport/Sardy Field covers an area of 573 acres (232ha) at an elevation of 7,820 feet (2,384 m) above mean sea level. The Aspen airport is rated the most dangerous airport in the United States. These reflect our local character and mission to preserve the high quality of life you're sure to experience throughout your visit in Pitkin County. Aspen/Pitkin County Airport, Aspen, Colo. Every winter, snow bums and bunnies head out to Aspen to hit the mountains, but be warned when touching down at this snowy airport. Airline pilots may seem like a happy bunch. hello, today we are plane spotting at the DANGEROUS AIRPORT of Aspen Regional Airport!Aspen airport is located in a valley so there is always high winds. Positioned in the Himalayan mountains, the 9,325 feet high Tenzing airport was named after the first two climbers that scaled Mt. Aspen Airport: pretty in summer and potentially dangerous in winter. This airport terrain is filled with mountains and glaciers that planes have to dodge along with intense turbulence due to its location next to the often very cold Gastineau Channel. Aspen/Pitkin County Airport to Close May 10-24, 2023 for Airfield Pavement Maintenance Learn more. Located near Mt. But when the passengers break into applause on landing and you walk out into the magnificent fresh air and temple style airport, it is well worth the adventure. The tailwind issues at Aspen are a very important consideration, said another pilot. Let's also not forget one of the most famous crashes that started at LaGuardia, US Airways flight 1549, which landed in the Hudson River after hitting a flock of birds and losing both engines. The airp. Aspen doesnt make the grade but here are the best major U.S. airports. Parking; Public Transportation; This is likely due to the fact that the airport, which is wedged between two mountains, requires a swift descent at high altitude.. He may be reached at andersen@rof.net. SOCIAL MEDIAS:Discord Server: https://discord.gg/bucSStwInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/milehigh_aviation/Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/milehigh_15-MY AIRPORTS- Denver International Airport (Will Be Done September 2021)- Honolulu International Airport (Operational)- Colorado Springs Airport (Operational)- Montrose Regional Airport (Will Be Done October 2021)-VIDEO SCHEDULETuesday, Friday, and Sunday-FUTURE GOALS FOR THE CHANNEL- Have 10,000 subsribers by 2023-EQUIPMENT Camera - Canon VIXIA HF G 60Editing Software - Filmora XPC - Alienware i7 Computer-This content may not be used with out permission granted.MileHigh Aviation -#GeminiJets #milehighaviation #geminijetsairport #geminijetsairportupdate One of America's Most Dangerous Airports | Landing at Aspen | Cirrus Aspen Airport offers quick and convenient access to ground transportation, car rentals and parking. One of America's Most Dangerous Airports | Landing at Aspen | Cirrus SR22 - YouTube Even on a nice VFR day, it still takes a lot of hard work to land at Aspen. The runway is narrow, bumpy, and a bit short. With no lights on the runway and during a whiteout, pilots are trained to land blind. If you click on them and buy a product, Amazon pays me a few percentages from the price of the product you bought. Aspen should not stand for a dangerous airport. What makes the picturesque Princess Juliana Airport dangerous isnt the sunbathers below on the beach but the technically-too-short 7,100-foot runway originally built for the smaller planes that once frequented the island before the tourism boom arrived. Airplane pilot group on a mission to curb crashes in and out of Aspen Aspen's airport has reopened Saturday afternoon following an hour-long closure after a private plane had a "hard landing," an airport official said. In 2007, the runway was completely rehabilitated with new grooved asphalt. ", Perhaps worse than crying kids are entitled rich people, and pilots get plenty of those in this destination for the wealthy. And it's surrounded by mountainous terrain. CRMS offers. This project was completed on November 2, 2011.[5]. The FAA has installed an FAA Weather Camera in addition to the Automated surface observing system (ASOS) available to help pilots determine the weather conditions at Aspen airport and the surrounding area.[8]. I have flown into this airport many times and it is for sure a white-knuckle experience. Transportation planners must reject conformity to preconceived notions of how to get people to and from Aspen by looking beyond the Roaring Fork Valley. Landings are coordinated with accurate schedules to avoid approaching trains. No thank you! Aspen Airport History | Aspen/Pitkin County Airport, ASE