"The second it gets windy or they get a [millimeter] of snow, the whole place goes [haywire]," one pilot wrote on Reddit. No worries though. You do not want to cross these sneaky signs. The January 5 crash of a Bombardier Challenger 601-3R during the crew's second attempted landing at Aspen Pitkin County. The airport is mostly used by 'private' jets Gulfstreams, Learjets and the likes are very common. I have flown into this airport many times and it is for sure a white-knuckle experience. 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. 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.. [3], For the 12-month period ending January 1, 2017, the airport had 42,405 aircraft operations, an average of 116 per day: 51% general aviation, 26% air taxi, 23% scheduled commercial, and <1% military. They'll ask for a soda from a flight attendant then put it in their bag and immediately demand another one. You won't pay more and it won't bite you } Somehow there has never been a major accident.Find out about the little-known airplane feature that could save your life. The airport's operations department is responsible for daily compliance with FAA Part 139, including daily airport safety inspections, rules and regulations enforcement, and aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF). It's becoming more common in people under 55. The airport is packed. Aspen/Pitkin County Airport to Close May 10-24, 2023 for Airfield Pavement Maintenance Learn more. On my next visit, I will be taking the ferry from neighboring St. Maarten. 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. No surprise: There's another New York City-area airport that came in for a drubbing from Reddit pilots. 13 Worst Airports to Fly Into, According to Pilots, 20 Exciting New Flight Routes Coming in 2020. Professional, strong work ethic, personable, long term commitment. if( navigator.sendBeacon ) { 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. Another airport stuck in the center of a mountainous region, the rinky-dink Bert Mooney has the added attraction of being absent a control tower and often experiencing below-freezing temperatures (obviously not ideal for flying). The terminal has a cellphone parking lot to accommodate motorists waiting to pick up passengers. Its a risky maneuver under the best conditions in a high-performance jet.. Move some of the general aviation aircraft to the west side of the runway. For rough guidance, these restrictions preclude aircraft like the current 737 series and larger. An October 2018 opinion piece in the Aspen Times began with an ominous statement; "The Aspen Airport is rated the most dangerous in the United States." The airport has been the scene of. Subscribe for more Even on a. McBride described the local airport as "dangerous" and said he was . Because of strict noise restrictions, pilots must take off at maximum throttle and then abruptly pull back on their engines. Airline pilots may seem like a happy bunch. January 5 crash of a Bombardier Challenger 601-3R, Airlines Fight New Flight Caps at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, Pilatus Aircraft's Deliveries Fall in 2022, but Revenues Rise, AINsight: Putting Market Change into Perspective, P&WC Fielding Improved Engine Support Offerings, Republicans Urge Biden To Withdraw FAA Nomination, BBGA: Bizav Must Fight Back Against Misinformation, A modest proposal to boost general aviation, FAA Should Use Its Nuclear Option To Save Americas Airports, Analyzing the GAMA 1Q10 aircraft delivery numbers, Mid-Year Aerospace & Air Transport Report. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Aspen/Pitkin County Airport, Aspen, Colo. . Due to non-standard runway/taxiway separation, the airport has a 95ft (29m) aircraft wingspan limitation. But pilots only have one shot at landing at this snowy airport because touch-and-go landings are prohibited. "We really don't want to scare people from flying, so maybe we should call these the most "thrilling" airports to land at. Don't count on these folks to be in a good mood. Ever grabbed that airplane armrest a little tighter during landing? Combining air and ground travel to accommodate regional needs well into the future is good planning. As we deplaned, machine gun-toting security guards greeted the passengers which only added to our dramatic arrival. Today's Video: Big Jets At Aspen Airport - The Most Dangerous Airport In America? . The airport terminal hosts six rental car operations, a year-round guest services operation, plus Jeddadiahs restaurant and gift shops. } else { Tellurides Regional Airport sits over 9,000 feet above sea level, making it the highest commercial airport in North America. AIN asked some pilots who regularly operate there to share their wisdom, on condition of anonymity. Aspen has some of the best care for ski mountains and skiing in the world, some of the best cross-country skiing and hiking trails, world-class music, the Aspen Institute, and award-winning hotels and restaurants. Since an aborted landing of a heavy loaded aircraft requires a 180-degree turn back out of the valley (which is highly unusual), some aircraft make it, others might not, especially if an engine fails. If you were Ref plus 20 and broke out right at minimums, you were not going to get on the runway where you should. In partnership with the Aspen Chamber, guest services is conveniently located in the baggage area equipped with the most current information you need during your stay. Yet despite all this, the vision process shortchanged safety needs and the airport is planning to expand, to allow larger, heavier commercial and general aviation airplanes. Transportation planners must reject conformity to preconceived notions of how to get people to and from Aspen by looking beyond the Roaring Fork Valley. Three years minimum experience. 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. https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/2014-02-03/pilots-address-hazards-aspen-arrival. Because this dangerous airport was deemed to be not in line with international standards, Svalbards Longyearbyen Airport lost its international designation in 2017 meaning the only way to reach this remote Arctic Circle airport, and to experience the frequent polar bear sightings on the archipelago, is from Troms or Bergen on mainland Norway. In a 2017 study conducted by Honeywell Aerospace, drawing on data from its team of test pilots and the larger pilot community, this airport was named as the number-one worst airport to fly into. On June 7, 2009, a Learjet 60 (registration N500SW) veered off the runway on landing and came to rest on the right side of the runway with a collapsed right main gear, with no injuries to the eight persons on board. Aspen Airport History | Aspen/Pitkin County Airport, ASE All 150 passengers and five crew members were plucked from the Hudson safe and sound. Aspen, Telluride make list of America's most white-knuckle airport Searching the world for the most amazing People, Places and Things. Jet Crashed Approaching 'Dangerous' Airport - ABC News Plane Spotting at the DANGEROUS Aspen Pitkin Airport! - YouTube 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. Aircraft weight is restricted to 100,000 pounds (45,000kg) maximum certificated gross landing weight or less. Dining with Death: The 2001 Avjet Aspen crash - Medium Here is my top list of mostthrilling airport landings in the world. Aspen/Pitkin County Airport, ASE It was scary. The dangers of flying into Aspen were illuminated in 2001, when a Gulfstream charter jet airplane "hit a hill and then plunged across a 200 foot culvert between the hill and the airport before. 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. In a 2017 study conducted by Honeywell Aerospace, drawing on data from its team of test pilots and the larger pilot community, this airport was named as the number-one worst airport to fly into. The airport needed to be built on permafrost with the runway insulated against the ground so it will not melt during the summer. Experience is a plus but not required for the right, Seeking Professional Day and Night Drivers Glenwood Springs, Rifle, Aspen & Vail Set your own schedule weekly Top Drivers Earn, The Ute Mountaineer is seeking a Marketing Coordinator. Courchevel International Airport / France. Face coverings are optional in the Aspen Airport per TSA Executive Order. The airport is also dangerous due to strong winds, high mountains on one side and the ocean on the other. [1], It is included in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 20192023, in which it is categorized as a non-hub primary commercial service facility. Additionally, the runway drops off so much on both sides that pilots at one end of it can't see planes at the other. 1 expressed concern of the Airport Vision Committee was and is safety.. Such a plan would make our dangerous airport even more so. Although no one was hurt, the plane sustained significant damage. Not surprisingly, another Colorado Rocky Mountain airport is ranked as one of the most dangerous. Tenzing-Hillary Airport. All rights reserved. uilt on the bare volcanic rock of Hut Point Peninsula on Ross Island with a. Position performs maintenance duties on Town parks,, The North of Nell is now hiring full-time year around for the following positions: - Controller - Housekeepers These are, We are looking for two maintenance technicians, full, or part time to perform tasks such as painting, drywall patching, room, Colorado Western Slope established water law firm seeks a paralegal. This is a BETA experience. 1 in difficulty: Pilots landing here require special training due to its steep approach path. 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. This facility houses airport operations and facilities maintenance staff, as well as the airport's fleet of ARFF, snow removal, and other airport equipment. navigator.sendBeacon('https://www.google-analytics.com/collect', payload); The airport meets modified FAA D-III airport reference code standards. All the operators AIN spoke to have a policy that prohibits them from conducting night operations at Aspen. Aspen airport is located in a valley so there is always high winds. Short runways covered in ice, extremely cold temperatures, severe winds, and low visibility due to not only heavy snow but also ash clouds from nearby active volcanoes make landing at Narsarsuaq Airport in Greenland not for the faint of heart. Landing gear and flaps must be extended before the final approach fix at Aspen if the airplane is to get down in time and still be slow enough for touchdown. Flying to Aspen has never been easier and is, by far, the quickest way to start your vacation. Pilots must be certified to land in Aspen. The Ice Runway is used by the US Antarctic Program through the summer season and is close to McMurdo Station. Aspen Airport: pretty in summer and potentially dangerous in winter. This slope makes taking off difficult and is reachable through deep valleys where only certified pilots are allowed. Any airport that requires special pilot training easily makes a list of the most dangerous airports in the world. Pilots on Reddit complain about the rough runway ("like landing on a dirt road") and say that, as smooth as your touchdown may be here, "you're going to feel like you slammed it on." 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.. 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. This can lead to occasional delays, cancellations, and weight restrictions depending on wind strength and direction. Meanwhile, the $400 million estimate for Aspens expansion is a princely sum for grandiose designs at the most dangerous airport in the country. Professional, strong work ethic, personable, long term commitment. Suite A 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. With mountains to the north and east, Mexican airspace to the south and strong tailwinds blowing in from the west, pilots better watch out. The tricky approach through the mountainous area is well known for itsgusty winds which make it extremely difficult to maneuver landings. When it was opened in 1946, Aspen-Pitkin County Airport was operated by a private company. And the parents? 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 ambitious project won the 2004 Outstanding Structure Award which is considered the Oscars of structural engineering. Flight Tracker | Aspen/Pitkin County Airport, ASE The airport involves coordinated efforts in spotting landmarks on approach since there is no instrument landing. ", Perhaps worse than crying kids are entitled rich people, and pilots get plenty of those in this destination for the wealthy. We should know the different capabilities of the different aircraft now. . } Toncontin International Airport in Tegucigalpa, Honduras (ORLANDO SIERRA/AFP/Getty Images). Hold on tight, folks, it's going to be a bumpy landing! All of these factors combined sometimes force nose-to-nose takeoffs and landings. They'll walk off the plane with six or seven drinks and a pile of snacks in their bag. The runway is only five feet above sea level and all three runways are completely submerged during high tide. Today, I would vote no. ASPEN Pilots will tell you that flying into and out of Aspen can be dangerous and so does the data. ", He adds that departures are just as bad with constant delays and mixed messages from air traffic control from whom "you're cleared to push to spot 29, where you'll call ground 7 times unanswered, and then be number 37 for takeoff after convoluted taxi instructions. xhr.send(payload); 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. ASE provides a variety of ground transportation options connecting the airport to all local destinations. Aspen-Pitkin County Airport, Colorado. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. Email resume to: samantha@cprestaurants.com or, The Aspen Institute is a global nonprofit organization committed to realizing a free, just, and equitable society. 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. Saba island also is known as King Kong island with the tiny airport in the far right. (Absent a . Due to the lack of runway lights, flights are only permitted during daylight, thus hindering flights duringthe winter when the sun never rises. ASE is a small airport for small planes only, and traffic tends to stop in any inclement weather. Airplane pilot group on a mission to curb crashes in and out of Aspen This Arizona airport has mountains on three sides and a mere 8,500-foot runway, requiring a rapid descent and tricky landings even in the best conditions. 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. The Telluride Regional Airport is considered by many to be one of the most dangerous airports in the country. Congonhas Airport / Sao Paulo, Brazil Sao Paulo's Congonhas airport iswell known to pilots for its short runway and dangerous approach. Airport operations staff operates from the airport's Operations Center, constructed in 2006 on the west side of the airport. The name says it all. This military base is the only main airport on the continent, and during the winter the area is dark 24 hours a day. In January 2010, one pilot overran the runway following a rejected takeoff. So I avoid it like the plague. Telluride is the highest-elevation commercial airport in America at 9,070 feet. Any advice on what i can tell her to reassure her that the ASE airport is safe even a night landing? The airport, about 230 miles west of Denver, has an elevation of 7,815 feet. As a retired airline captain explained to USA Today, "There is no electronic glide slope (vertical guidance) provided.". Vehicles are made to stop every time an aircraft lands or takes off. Masks are available but not required inside the Airport. I explained to him, since the weather was right at minimums we should be fully configured and Ref plus 10 crossing The VOR. It's no wonder: The airport sits in a high mountain bowl that requires a series of rapid "step-downs" as soon as the pilot clears the mountain range, dropping around 2,400 feet in one minute. Due to the lack of runway lights, flights are only permitted during daylight, thus hindering flights duringthe winter when the sun never rises. The minimums were not based on how low you could go without hitting rocks, they were based on how low you could go, lose an engine and climb out safely. But, can you believe among all this excellence, we are home to the most dangerous airport in the United States with 50 crashes in 55 years of aircraft coming and going from our airport. The Aspen/Pitkin County Airport operates on a core set of community values: safety, health and well-being, environmental responsibility, and operational efficiency. This project was completed on November 2, 2011.[5]. It has one asphalt paved runway designated 15/33 which measures 8,006 by 100 feet (2,440 x 30 m). He is the proud dad of teen daughters. now I know what you were trying to tell me. And yes, we did land, he was a talented aviator. . Aspen Airport: ASE | Aspen/Pitkin County Airport, ASE Flight Information Parking; Public Transportation; 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.". The crash killed a 6-year-old boy and injured a dozen others. With just1,700 feet of runway length, this airport has a downward gradient of 18.5%. I called runway twelve oclock. The captain answered, Going visual. He went off the gauges and looked up out in front of the windscreen, straight ahead and said, Wheres the runway. I leaned forward and with my index finger pointed down and said Right there. He commented, Oh shit! He grinned and commented, I have probably flown with you on over one hundred VOR approaches and I have never seen you slow up to Ref plus 10 this far out. I said, Just do it this time for me, Ill explain later. As it turned out, I didnt have to explain later. The 6,500-foot runway only allows for arrivals and departures during the daytime. In the winter, its regular, weekly flights number more than 170 (not including extra flights often run during busy holiday seasons). Get ready for a bumpy landing if you're flying into this California airport. The airp. xhr.setRequestHeader('Content-Type', 'text/plain;charset=UTF-8'); Well, you may have been taking off or landing at one of the scariest airports in the country. Bus service provided by RFTA is free into Aspen and Snowmass Village. One clear day I asked the tower if I could circle to 33 [in a Challenger] just to see what it was like, one pilot said. A classic safe town. But the truth is that underneath that crisp blue uniform and bright smile is often someone who hates much of his or her job. Reagan National Airport, Washington, D.C. Pilots have to be especially skilled to fly into this difficult airport. This is likely due to the fact that the airport, which is wedged between two mountains, requires a swift descent at high altitude.. In the popular ski town of Aspen in the United States is the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport. If you are flying into Lukla, you are likely heading to climb Mount Everest. Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (IATA: ASE, ICAO: KASE, FAA LID: ASE), also known as Sardy Field, is a county-owned public-use airport located three nautical miles (6 km) northwest of the central business district of Aspen, in Pitkin County, Colorado, United States. According to sources, numerous aircraft crashes, including a fatal 2001 Gulfstream charter jet . If we dont see the runway by the DOYPE {{SMALL CAPS}} fix [5.5 nm from the end of the runway], we execute a missed approach.. . Aspen-Pitkin county / Sardy Field in Colorado is listed as one of America's most dangerous airports. Passengers, prepare for your ears to pop! 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. Two days ago, 200 flights cancelled for a bit of wind. Aspen/Pitkin County Airport to Close May 10-24, 2023 for Airfield Pavement Maintenance Learn more. On January 5, the wind was as strong as 28 knots from the northwest just before the ill-fated Challengers landing. Few airports challenge a pilot to the same headache-inducing degree as Aspen, playground for the rich and famous. Last spring I voted for the Vision Committee recommendations, because they included two ideas I had fought for: 1. The mountainous area surrounding the airport also poses a challenge, forcing the pilots to land and take off in opposite directions, but using a single runway. Site by TMBR. Aircraft landing at Princess Juliana International Airport. 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! Danger may be your middle name but this airport is treacherous not only because of the extremely short runway but because of its height, location between mountains, and, oh yeah, the lack of power and air traffic controllers. On April 4, 2011, the airport began a $15.5 million runway extension project which added 1,000 feet of runway length to the existing 8,006 feet long runway. What makes the Courchevel Airport so dangerous is the altitude of course (6,500 feet), but also the tiny 1,760-foot runway and its 18.5 percent gradient slope making it necessary for the small. [WATCH] POV video shows landing at 'America's most dangerous airport Although Midway isn't quite as busy as its sister airport, O'Hare, that doesn't make it any less scary. The 17 Scariest Airport Landings In The World, And Why You - Forbes Pilots flying to the airport have to worry about severe weather conditions as well as the rising tides. 10 Scariest U.S. Airports - ABC News Paul Andersen. Good times! And on takeoff, pilots must ascend quickly and sharply turn left so they don't fly over the White House. Airport Advisory Board. 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. 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. Plus, there are those sharp turns along the Potomac River, making landing a serious pain. Letter to the Editor Letter-to-the-editor | Sep 9, 2020. No one was injured in the incident . Aspen Pilots Want to Improve Airport's Safety Record ", "Newark was never meant for the volume of traffic that comes and goes there," he says. Many sources rate this the most dangerous airport in the United States. Located in the outskirts of Gisborne in New Zealand, this airport actually has a railway intersecting with the runway. "Just a complete pain from 18,000 feet until you're at the gate," one pilot writes on Reddit. It also can demand that any private pilot who plans to come to the Aspen airport must first pass a vigorous mountain flying exam or pay a steep penalty. 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. During landing, pilots are forced to make a series of tight, low altitude turns, including an 180-degree turn around Citi Field. Last week we landed five hours late because of some snow. I'm pretty senior with my airline, so I don't have to fly a route that's going there if I don't want to. These 5 American Airports Are Extremely Dangerous! 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. Most Dangerous Airports in the World | Reader's Digest In 2007, the runway was completely rehabilitated with new grooved asphalt. American Airlines and United Airlines fly . Aspen should not stand for a dangerous airport One operator said he does not care about approach minimums. Aspen/Pitkin County Airport Flight Arrivals & Departures. Wow Travel says that the Gibraltar Airport has but one runway and that that dangerous runway cuts right through the main street of the city! Princess Juliana International Airport / St. Maarten. It is one of the most dangerous airports in the US. Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport, Sitka, Alaska. The runway sits between two cliffs so passengers better hope their pilot doesn't overshoot this runway. 2023 ABC News Internet Ventures. 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