Pilots Master Challenging Landing to Paro Airport

Known for its difficult approach and departure procedures due to the surrounding mountainous terrain, we spoke to two of our APAC Jet Aviation pilots who had piloted a flight to Paro Airport in Bhutan earlier this year, in an aircraft available for charter on our San Marino AOC.

Paro Airport is a Category C Airport, which means that the crew and pilots must undergo specific training or be accompanied by a navigator in the jump seat. For this charter flight between Bangkok, Thailand, and Paro, Bhutan, the crew consisted of Edwin Hogervorst, Director of Flight Operations and Captain, and Thomas Irbringer, Captain, who explained this difficult but exciting flight, which took a month to prepare for.

“We didn’t have much navigation data, apart from basic visual maps. We only received more detailed maps from the navigator on the day of the flight, which were very useful in guiding us more precisely into and out of Paro”, explains Thomas. For this charter flight, the crew was accompanied by the navigator. 

“She was a great help in guiding us through the valley and for communications across India and Myanmar, which was a challenge in itself!” Thomas adds. 

On their way to Bhutan, the crew flew over several of the world’s highest peaks, including Mount Everest (8849 m), Mount Lhotse (8516 m), Makalu (8485 m), Kanchenjunga (8586 m) and many more.

“Just before landing, you fly over a ridge so low that you feel like you can touch the grass on the hill and see the inside of the kitchen of a Bhutanese house. It’s pretty spectacular and, in many ways, it’s every pilot’s dream to fly like that.” 

Upon landing into Paro Airport, our two captains used all their knowledge and expertise and explained the journey to the ground.

“Paro Airport is known for its difficult landings and departures due to strong winds and cloud formation in the valley,” explains Edwin. “As you descend into Bhutan, you reach a mountain ridge with a VOR beacon, where you need to be visual with the valley below you. As you descend to a lower altitude, you look for visual reference points such as temples and ridges, after which you can descend a bit further.”

However, the crew must be careful not to fly over the golden-roofed temples, as this is not accepted by the monks.

“Just before landing, you fly over a ridge so low that you feel like you can touch the grass on the hill and see the inside of the kitchen of a Bhutanese house. It’s pretty spectacular and, in many ways, it’s every pilot’s dream to fly like that,” says Edwin.

The passengers were full of compliments after landing, as they had really enjoyed the flight through the valley with its magnificent scenery, unique to Bhutan.

“We spent three days in Paro, sightseeing and hiking in the area to admire the views, the museums, monasteries, mountains and nature. It was a great experience, and we all wish we could have stayed longer,” adds Thomas.

Well done to our experienced crew for piloting this challenging and yet rewarding flight to Paro Airport. It was a true testament to both our capabilities and your passion for flight!