Exotic Fly-in Destinations in Asia

One of the greatest pleasures of owning a private aircraft must surely be that it allows for the instant gratification of your wanderlust.

Possessing your own wings frees you from the tedium of endless queues at airports and the aguish of having to wait for that one last recalcitrant passenger to board the plane you are on. And of course, while others jostle with the crowd to get to yet another ‘tourist- friendly’ destination, you have the luxury to go off the beaten track and have more of a journey.

If you are a private pilot with an insatiable hunger for adventure, you must visit South East Asia (SEA). Steeped in history and culturally diverse, SEA offers a truly unforgettable experience. A great number of exotic destinations are accessible to private aircrafts flown by General Aviation (GA) aviators. Below are a few of my favourites, each with its unique charm but all effusive in their welcome.

- Baguio City, Philippines

Nestled 5000ft high in the pine tree studded mountains is the Summer Capital of the Philippines – Baguio City. With its cool weather and scenic mountain views, Baguio is a wonderful choice for a weekend respite from the hurried and demanding urban life. As you approach it from the air, a bird’s eye view of the fertile valleys, pine-clad hills and lush mountain vegetation ushers you towards the 1296m sloping runway at an elevation of 4251ft with plunging cliffs on both ends, perched atop a mountain plateau; making a landing at Baguio’s Loakan Airport can be a challenge, even for an experienced pilot. As you disembark, the crisp, pine-scented air instantly clears your mind and rejuvenates your spirits. From here, you could adjourn to the town for a horse-cart tour of the historic streets, or enjoy high tea at a nice mountain resort or go on a treasure hunt. It has been rumoured that during World War 2, much gold was hidden in the mountain valleys of gold-rich Baguio, Alas, most are said to have been discovered and dug out.

- Bali, Denpasar, Indonesia

The splendour of Bali is truly magnificent from the air; flying over this Indian Ocean Island, you could see its pearly beaches, picturesque rice terraces, towering volcanoes, and lush tropical forests. Besides, its varied landscapes, Bali is also known for its rich cultural heritage and patronage of the fine and performing arts, including indigenous forms of dance, painting, sculpture and music. For those who love their creature comforts, Bali boasts some of the most luxurious resort hotels in the region, where you will be accorded a royal treatment. So, file your flight plan, and hop on your private airplane for a weekend in Bali. With a bit of advance planning for flight permits, Bali’s Denpasar international (Ngurah Rai) airport at 3000m length, 14ft elevation and 24 hours operation is extremely GA friendly even for private light aircrafts. With the airport just a few miles from famous Kuta beach and Denpasar town, upon arrival and clearance, hop onto a taxi and you are within minutes from a fabulous vacation.

- Mulu National Park, East Malaysia

The 5200 hectares Mulu National Park, a world heritage site, is Nature’s treasure trove. Home to thousands of species of flora and fauna, Mulu, with its rich biodiversity, is every nature lover’s paradise. Yet, Mulu’s most precious gem lies deep within. Trudge through this mountainous rainforest and you will come face-to-face with some of the largest and most spectacular limestone caves in the world. Mulu has the world’s largest cave passage and natural cave chamber with the oldest form 5 million years ago. Every evening, at Deer cave’s entrance, you can witness swarms of millions of bats entering and leaving, a sight to behold that will leave you gasping for breath. The flight to Mulu National Park, which is only accessible by air, will take you over rainforest, dense vegetation, rivers and mountains. While simple, the 4921ft tarmac airfield is well-maintained and has a terminal and control tower, and is situated within minutes’ drive to the base camp where lodges are available for rent.

- Bang Phra, Thailand

If your idea of a weekend is to spend time with fellow flying enthusiasts discussing airplanes and flying, head down to Bang Phra airfield, which is privately operated by the Thai Flying Club. Landing at probably Asia’s most active and well-known private airfield, you park your aircraft, walk 20 meters to clubhouse restaurant and are greeted by fellow aviators from all walks of life. Soon, you perch yourself on the veranda overlooking the runway sipping coconut juice, watching airplanes takeoff and land 50 meters in front of you amidst the flurry of social activities that surround you. Traditional Thai hospitality permeates Bang Phra, making it atmosphere popular weekend hangout joint for private aviators as well as a not-to-be-missed transit point for those traveling through the region. A group of regular club members stocks the airfield with an impressive array of light aircrafts, which includes aerobatic birds and helicopters. The runway is relatively short at 924m, staffed with a control tower but only accepts daytime visual approach procedures. However, with local advice and information regularly published online by the Thai Flying Club, visits are never a hassle and will certainly bring out the bush pilot aspirations in you.

- Hua Hin, Thailand

Hua Hin lies approximately 225km southwest of Bangkok city, a small town by the Gulf of Thailand. It is Thailand’s first seaside resort, famed for decades as the preferred holiday location for the Thai Royal family. It was discovered and bestowed royal distinction by King Rama VII, ancestor of His Majesty King Bhumibol, in the 1920s as the ideal getaway spot. Till this day, the Royal family’s summer palace - “Klai Kang Won” (translated as “Far from Worries”) remains situated just 4km south of a modern airport with a 2100m tarmac runway. Golf enthusiasts can tee off at some of Thailand’s most exclusive golf courses like Royal Hua Hin – Thailand’s first golf course and Springfield Royal Country Club – designed by Jack Nicklaus. Of course, you will also find pristine beaches, boisterous night markets, and abundant fresh seafood that is bound to whet your appetite. Hua Hin airport lies right by the coastline, greets private aircraft arrivals with open arms but aviators should respect a prohibited “no-fly zone” over and near the King’s palace.

- Redang Island, Peninsula Malaysia

If you love the sun, the sand and the sea, you will not be disappointed with a visit to Redang Island. The archipelago’s group of 9 islands abounds with marvelous marine fishes, turtles and coral reefs. Peninsular Malaysia’s most popular snorkeling and diving destination is also a turtle and coral reef conversation area. Fly in for a weekend of island living, indulge in your love for marine life and sea sports, or simply just idle away on the white, sandy beaches and soak in the serenity broken only by the sounds of waves, and you will leave feeling recharged for the week ahead. The airfield is operated only during daylight hours. A beautiful new 940m tarmac airfield constructed in March 2004 adjacent to Berjaya resort adorns the island, welcoming private aircraft literally to the doorstep of pristine white sandy beaches and spectacular coral reefs visible through sparkling blue waters as you peep through your cabin windows on approach into landing.

With general aviation becoming less of a mystic in Asia, private aircraft travel is gradually but surely becoming more of a reality, especially for the burgeoning affluent class in the region. The rapidly evolving aviation technology has also made it safer and more convenient to travel to more far-flung destinations with comfort.