Operation to an Unknown High Altitude Airport!

Unknown Airport

Below: Just on top of clouds cruising at 31,000 ft. You could make out the mountains to the north which are part of the Himalayas.

As we get nearer destination high ground appearing just prior to descent

Descent has commenced, cloud cover is not bad, as we can perform it visually. Altitude is 30,000ft approx.

Initial descent at 30,000ft

Descending through a pass - altitude around 24,000 ft which is the minimum height at which a decision to turn back or proceed to destination is made.

We have now descended through the pass and make out the valley that leads to Leh in the distance.

Altitude is around 18,000ft. Airport is around 11,500ft !!!!!

perfect visual conditions to continue our approach. We are heading for a 'left downwind' position to the runway

Heading for downwind. Note the downwind is over the mountains so the GPWS (Ground Prox Warning System) will sound.

Notice the field below us on the left and we are high on approach to avoid the 'hills' (not really hills as they are eaisly around 16,000 raising to 24,000 ft) ahead.

The valley where you see the river run through is our missed approach path in the even of an engine failure etc.

Turning downwind. Hills ahead and Gound Proximity sounds.

Downwind turning Base  for a landing. Height is spot on and the approach path flown to exact laid out procedure.

Landed and just before turning into the apron.

 Note the high ground ahead which makes a single engine climb out not possible.

Take off is in the opposite direction and is over the valley seen earlier.

Exciting isn't it ???