For anybody fancying a challenging approach in the MD11 then try Moroni in the Comoros (at night, with a gusting wind, requiring a circle-to-land from the ILS approach). In my mind this is a fine lesson for why such approaches are best avoided like the plague, and certainly at night.Here are the charts:-Vicinity:http://www.ais-asecna.org/pdf/atlas/comore...f/moroni-00.pdfPrescribed track for circle-to-land:http://www.ais-asecna.org/pdf/atlas/comore...f/moroni-06.pdfILS Rwy 02:http://www.ais-asecna.org/pdf/atlas/comore...f/moroni-03.pdfIt's always fun trying a different style of approach plate, so hopefully you can make sense of these!James

Thanks for the tip! I love challenging approaches. Will try this one when I got the time. :) How did it go for you?

Is this not the appr where the Airbus A300 just crashed?Rob

Aren't most circle-to-land approaches daytime only?

This approach has flashing lead-in lights which I guess make the approach safer to conduct at night. There's a note at the bottom of my Jeppesen plate that says to confirm with the tower that these are operational before trying!I once scared myself circling to land at Key West off the NDB approach, at night, and so really enjoy practising these approaches in the safety of my house. I believe that some airlines even prohibit their aircrew from conducting circling approaches as they're so hazardous.James

James, Your topic refers to the tragic incident which occured less than 24 hours ago in the Indian ocean in a final approach to Moroni. This incident involved an Airbus A310-300 from Yemena (Yemeni Airways) IY626 originated in Saana Yemen with final destination Moroni Comore Islands. I leave it to the readers to judge whether it was appropriate in such circumstances to create a thread about a "challenging approach - Moroni" without any reference to the incident.One should also mention that Moroni is considered a "difficult airport". Most airlines impose a special training for both captain and fisrt officer for these airports. As to Moroni specifically, major airlines have a day light only landing rule for Moroni. Approaches to Moroni can be made from 02 or 20 only. There are two obstacles surrounding the airport one with an elevation of 1356 feet the other with and elevation of 3556 feet both very close to fiinal. Only 02 is equipped with ILS, GS, PAPI.Weather is important but not exceptionally dangerous there. what is extremely tricky is the windshear factor created by the two obstacles surrounding the airport.Approaching from the north: here I quote a fellow pilot who has made numerous landing a morony: it would be done by flying HAI VOR maintaining a safe altitude following a southbound course for about 10 NM, then a teardrop turn and return for approach 02, break off to the left for right downwind 20.The approach into runway 20 is anything but a straight in approach. There is no such thing as a 10 mile or even 5 mile straight in approach because of the hills to your left. You are doing a visual approach from right base and constantly turning to align yourself with the runway and only the last mile or so are you actually completely aligned with the runway.As you see, what you described as "challenging approach" is in fact considered as one of the 10 most difficult airport in the world with airlines imposing strict rules when flying there (special training, no night landing etc.).

Tried it in the sim - no sweat.How good are you at instrument flying?Automation is bad for pilots, but good for the bottom line. My Fathers argument for hand flying so much was "one day, the automation WILL fail when you need it most". At that point your $100 million dollar flying computer just became a very expensive Cessna 150. Not a time to get re-acquainted with hand flying.Best regards,Robin.