Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) is located only three miles from downtown Aspen, and is the most convenient airport in the Rocky Mountain region. 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. Copyright 2023 AIN Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. A glance at the accident databases online shows how dangerous Aspen can be. From the very beginning, the airport has seen many crash landing including the deadly one in 2001 of a Gulfstream charter plane. The approach isalmost at a cliff, alongside the jagged terrain of Saba and then a sharp bank left before an immediate landing. Air travel, mile for mile, is still the safest way to get from place to place, other than, perhaps, your own two feet," George Hobica, travel journalist and founder of Airfarewatchdog.com, said in a statement. 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. . The Aspen airport is rated the most dangerous airport in the United States. Somehow there has never been a major accident.Find out about the little-known airplane feature that could save your life. Due to its surrounding terrain structures in the North, East and South, Aspen Airport only has one possible starting direction. All of these factors combined sometimes force nose-to-nose takeoffs and landings. Today, we will be plane spotting at the DANGEROUS Aspen Airport in Colorado. ", Perhaps worse than crying kids are entitled rich people, and pilots get plenty of those in this destination for the wealthy. It doesnt help it makes some of the most dangerous airports list. Landings are coordinated with accurate schedules to avoid approaching trains. It landed in the second spot on Honeywell's list. Meanwhile, the $400 million estimate for Aspens expansion is a princely sum for grandiose designs at the most dangerous airport in the country. xhr.send(payload); Today, I would vote no. What To Expect When You Rent A Car Now (Youll Be Surprised), Star Female Italian Winemaker Shares Her Love For Tuscany, Take It, Easys: A New Speakeasy And Lounge At The Aria In Las Vegas, The Italian Company Offering An Alternative Kind Of Travel, Emirates Airlines Gets Even More Indulgent With Its New Champagne Service, Rixos Introduces A Five Star, All-Inclusive Experience To Abu Dhabi, Eugene Levys Reluctant Traveler, The Beatles Liverpool, Passport Renewal Delays And More. And if you're delayed, you can be sure you'll hear some smart comments.". Pilots must be certified to land in Aspen. After the attacks of Sept. 11, security forces strongly enforce these rules. https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/2014-02-03/pilots-address-hazards-aspen-arrival. I applaud the many talented pilots out there who make these successful landings every day. Here is my top list of mostthrilling airport landings in the world. Aspen airport is located in a valley so there is always high winds. 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. The January 5 crash of a Bombardier Challenger 601-3R during the crew's second attempted landing at Aspen Pitkin County. Of course, this is the reason why the No. Crashes regularly happen at the airport, and pilots know that they have to be incredibly focused while landing on the runway. pilots in total are qualified to make the landing here at Paro Airport! No aircraft departures are permitted after 22:30 local. What about Sardy/Aspen Airport up in Aspen it's been known to be dangerous too along with the one in Leadville! if( 'moc.enilnoefiltseb' !== location.hostname.split('').reverse().join('') ) { The tricky approach through the mountainous area is well known for itsgusty winds which make it extremely difficult to maneuver landings. Letter to the Editor Letter-to-the-editor | September 8, 2020. And so it goes . In 2007, the runway was completely rehabilitated with new grooved asphalt. The Aspen airport is rated the most dangerous airport in the United States. The airport is packed. The runway is 7,100 feet long and planes must approach over the water at an extremely low altitude appearing to be just feet above the heads of the public. But the truth is that underneath that crisp blue uniform and bright smile is often someone who hates much of his or her job. With mountains to the north and east, Mexican airspace to the south and strong tailwinds blowing in from the west, pilots better watch out. Subscribe for more Even on a. Paul Andersens column appears on Mondays. 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. Combining air and ground travel to accommodate regional needs well into the future is good planning. 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. 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. "No airport was really meant for that. Bookmarks are saved to your account and can be accessed from any device. 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 runways at Midway are close to 2,000 feet shorter than those at newer airports, causing many pilots to overshoot takeoff and landing. Pilots. Vehicles are made to stop every time an aircraft lands or takes off. [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. Mutual aid response to airport incidents is provided by the Aspen Fire Department, Pitkin County Sheriffs Department, Aspen Ambulance, and others. It was so unnerving to fly into that researchers at the National Center for Atmospheric Research, the Federal Aviation Administration, and Alaska Airlines worked together to develop an electronic monitoring system to track when there is a quick shift in wind speed and direction. Alexandros Papadiamantis airport on the Greek island of Skiathos, MCAS Futenma in Okinawa, Damascus International Airport, Aspen Airport, St. Bart's and many others. Aspen doesnt make the grade but here are the best major U.S. airports. } 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 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. "Unfortunately, it doesn't stop there. In addition to the regular appearance of ice and snow, conditions also feature swirling winds and mountains on either side. The terminal has a cellphone parking lot to accommodate motorists waiting to pick up passengers. My friend looked online and saw all the scary things people say about the Aspen airport and is freaking out. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking news? The approach isalmost at a cliff, alongside the jagged terrain of Saba and then a sharp bank left before an immediate landing. It's old. According to sources, numerous aircraft crashes, including a fatal 2001 Gulfstream charter jet . 1. 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.. The Aspen/Pitkin County airport terminal is a 44,000 square feet (4,100m2) single floor facility, which has undergone several renovations since its original construction in 1976. 4.9K views 1 year ago hello, today we are plane spotting at the DANGEROUS AIRPORT of Aspen Regional Airport! The strong winds are the most threatening element to landing on the 6,000-foot runway. All Rights Reserved. Built upon a layer of permafrost, Svalbard is the northernmost airport in the world with scheduled public flights. 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. if( navigator.sendBeacon ) { As we deplaned, machine gun-toting security guards greeted the passengers which only added to our dramatic arrival. 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. When we landed, I counted at least 20 planes sitting around waiting for gates, apparently some had been waiting for two-plus hours.". We are landing at 9pm night and taking off at 140pm from ase. Fair Game. You won't pay more and it won't bite you Aspen/Pitkin County Airport, ASE 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. . Aspen/Pitkin County Airport, Aspen, Colo. . 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. 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. . 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. Also known as Lukla Airport, as it's in Lukla, Nepal, the airport is located 9,838 feet above sea level. There is no second chance landing here due to the runway position, and pilots must make it perfectly the first time. (Absent a . Thats a regional question that should be weighed by the larger social values of scale and compatibility where the downvalley workforce could potentially benefit. Of course this is because Aspen has its fair share of rich and/or famous residents. 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. 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. 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. ", Another pilot writes, "LaGaurdia is 100 percent the worst. Searching the world for the most amazing People, Places and Things. Suite A Get ready for a bumpy landing if you're flying into this California airport. McBride cited the same disadvantages as above: the Aspen airport is sandwiched between mountain ridges at the end of a mountain valley with no option to lengthen the current runway; the airport is prone to harsh winter weather that often cancels flights and forces diversions; the airport operates with takeoffs and landings in opposite directions, a prescription for danger. According to Jalopnik, only 20 captains with British Airways are qualified to operate into Madeira Airport (FNC), in which they use waypoints like a banana shed [to guide them in]. Additionally, there is no instrument landing system (ILS) so pilots must navigate the challenging terrain manually. The terrain, the weather . It was scary. All the operators AIN spoke to have a policy that prohibits them from conducting night operations at Aspen. Plus, there are those sharp turns along the Potomac River, making landing a serious pain. 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. 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." A limited amount of pilots are qualifiedto fly into this airport after completing advanced training on a simulator. Under the direction of, Hiring Assistant Manager. Responsible for overseeing a variety of efforts in support of various aspects, Full-Time (5 days per week 8 hour shifts morning and/or afternoon shifts) at Colorado Rocky Mountain School. Only eight(!!!) 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. The Ice Runway is used by the US Antarctic Program through the summer season and is close to McMurdo Station. The airport is mostly used by 'private' jets Gulfstreams, Learjets and the likes are very common. "This is likely due to the fact that the airport, which is wedged between two mountains, requires a swift descent at high altitude.". [1], Aspen/Pitkin Co. Airport has more regular service from major carriers than any other regional ski town airport in North America. This airport can get a little rocky. Besides the congested airspace that all airports in the area suffer from, one pilot explained to AOL Travel that Newark stands out as "the worst. Even under visual conditions, mountains that rise 5,000 to 6,000 feet above field elevation make Aspen a one-way-in, one-way-out airport: land on Runway 15 and depart from Runway 33. Because of this dangerous environment the airport must not operate at night. Congonhas Airport / Sao Paulo, Brazil Sao Paulo's Congonhas airport iswell known to pilots for its short runway and dangerous approach. 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.