Special Sub-Topic: Most Extreme Airports Click Here To Play: Most Extreme Airports

What is a major obstruction on the runway at San Diego's Lindbergh Field?

A Parking Garage. The parking garage is 100 feet high and stands 200 yards from the end of the runway. This means that pilots cannot land on the first 1,810 feet of the runway. The TV show "Most Extreme Airports" lists this as the 10th most extreme airport.

Funchal Airport can be found on the island of Madeira. Of which country is Madeira a part?

Portugal. Funchal Airport has a runway extending over the ocean. The show "Most Extreme Airports" lists it as the 9th most extreme airport.

What mountain range is near Eagle County Airport at the ski resort of Vail?

Rocky Mountains. Eagle County Airport is near the Rocky Mountains at the ski resort of Vail. This airport is extreme because the mountainous terrain causes constantly changing weather, and the high altitude leads to loss of horsepower. The show "Most Extreme Airports" lists it as the 8th most extreme airport.

At Courchevel Airport, the runway is straight and flat like normal.

f. The runway is a ski-jump runway with a 20 degree slope on either side, which is necessary to help slow the airplane down. The show "Most Extreme Airports" lists it as the 7th most extreme airport.

At the old Kai Tak Airport, what symbol was used to help the pilots know where to land?

A Checkerboard. When coming in to the old Kai Tak airport, pilots had to do a very low approach over Hong Kong. When they saw the checkerboard, they knew where to make the right turn to land. The show "Most Extreme Airports" lists it as the 6th most extreme airport.

At Gibraltar Airport, there is a highway going through the center of the runway.

t. Gibraltar Airport has a 4-lane highway going through the middle. When planes are taking off or landing, a barrier is put down on either side much like a train crossing. Pedestrians even cross the runway! The show "Most Extreme Airports" lists it as the 5th most extreme airport.

What name is given to the area for plane spotting at Princess Juliana Airport?

Sunset Bar Area. The area for spotting planes at Princess Juliana Airport is famously known as the "Sunset Bar Area." Arrivals and departures are written on a surfboard. People get to watch planes come in for a very low landing above Maho Beach. The show "Most Extreme Airports" lists it as the 4th most extreme airport.

To land at Gustaf III Airport (known as St Barth's) on the Caribbean island of St Barthelemy, pilots must check in and out with a special license.

t. Yes, pilots must have a special license to check out on departure and in on landing at St Barth's Airport. Pilots require lots of training to land here. There is also a relatively short runway. The show "Most Extreme Airports" lists it as the 3rd most extreme airport.

At Tegucigalpa Airport in Honduras, the runway is fairly short for commercial aviation traffic. How do pilots know where to land?

Between 2 Stripes. After a crash in May 2008, the airport closed for six weeks to lengthen the runway by 900 feet, which was done by removing a hill at one end. A traffic signal was also set up to keep air traffic and ground traffic apart. The show "Most Extreme Airports" lists it as the 2nd most extreme airport.

How does Tenzing-Hillary Airport "Lukla" in Nepal warn locals to get off of the runway?

A Siren. Tenzing-Hillary Airport "Lukla" uses a siren to warn locals to get off the runway. The runway is often used as a shortcut into town. By the way, Tenzing-Hillary Airport is named after the first two climbers to reach the summit of Mt. Everest: Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay. The show "Most Extreme Airports" lists it as the most extreme airport.