Gilgit Airport (OPGT) v1.0
Gilgit is the most challenging airport in Pakistan (and Skardu for jetliners), which could be graded as “Epic” comparing with those landing challenges within MSFS. When I landed there for the first time, I feel quite good. Then the tower controller keep urging me to leave the runway, I want to ask where could I go as there is no taxiway or apron. That’s not good so I decided to remake this airport. Markings on the runway is upgraded. Apron, parkings and turning pad (at the start of runway 7 only) are added. A simple handcrafted terminal is also made. When I’m observing the landscape nearby, I also found a heliport called Sonikot Gilgit Helipad, it has been added together into the game, assigning a fake ICAO ident OPGH.
Normally only runway 25 is used for landing and runway 7 is used for taking off. For those who have no experience on getting into there, you are adivsed to download and read the navigation instructions:
https://www.theairlinepilots.com/forumarchive/airfield-area-procedures/gilgit/gilgit-ops.pdf
There is a slogan “Defenders of North” on a hillside near the airport (recently being modified as “Aman ka Nishan Hamara Pakistan”), which is useful as a visual refernece on approach. You may use it as a target for the final, and then make a gentle (not a steep) turn to the left when you are about to pass it, then you will see the runway very soon. The slogan could also act as a VASI, passing it at the same altitude would give you a good gliding path on final. It somehow reminds me for the use of “Checkerboard Hill” near the old Kai Tak Airport in Hong Kong.
Although the length of the runway is not enough for a jetliner to land there, landing a small business jet is possible although it is unlikely to fly a business jet into there in real life. Accept the challenge and enjoy.
There are several signages in the terminal, but I’m unable to add them as I can’t see the words on them clearly, and I didn’t learn Arabic. Help is appreciated.
There are still plenty of challenging airfields along the Himalayas, you are also encouraged to try Chitral Airport (OPCH) and Chilas Airport (OPCL)
GPS Coordinates: 35.91939215349281, 74.33203771367702
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If the creator of this mod sees this comment, I just want to point something out. The language isn’t Arabic, it’s most likely Urdu. If you’re open to updating the mod I can help with translating the signs or whatever you need since I’m fluent in Urdu.