Congestion at the airport for whatever reason will cause ATC to instruct VFR pilots to hold over the H1/H2 interchange or in the vicinity of Koko Head VORTAC and to ‘remain clear of Class Bravo airspace’. It is obvious that movements close to these traffic hot spots demand the utmost attention from pilots. Two main points of convergence for aircraft operating under VFR are the H1/H2 interchange north of Pearl Harbor (easily identifiable by two very tall apartment buildings and the highway connecting the north shore with the main east-west highway), and the vicinity of the Koko Head VOR (CKH), which demarcates the VFR arrival and departure gate in the east. These limitations explain the altitude restrictions of 1500 ft for exiting traffic, and 2000 ft or higher for arrivals. Basically, these corridors are used for both departing and arriving VFR traffic. This leaves a relatively narrow corridor between the city and the mountain ranges east of the airport, and another between the approach path to runway 8 and the Waianae mountain range to the west. Honolulu has some unique challenges in its runway configuration and hold short procedures please refer to this article for more information.Īir carriers operating from runways 4 and 8 follow departure and missed approach procedures that basically turn them away from the mountains to south-easterly headings soon after departure. VFR arrival and departure procedures are described under ‘Area Notices’. It is imperative that you familiarize yourself with the most recent incarnations of these procedures in the Pacific Chart Supplement in printed or electronic form. The following description is designed to help the reader understand the traffic flow under various conditions. The FAA Pacific Chart Supplement lists a total of five different VFR arrival procedures, two of which are of exclusive use in tradewind conditions, and one that is used only for arrivals on runways 22L and 22R. The latter situation occurs especially ahead and during cold front passage and is generally referred to as “Kona conditions”. This becomes an issue during missed approaches and when wind conditions necessitate the use of runways 22 and 26, respectively.

During trade wind conditions (north-east winds) runways 4 and 8 are in use, both of which allow unobstructed approaches from the ocean side, but the departure end of both runways points to a 3,500 ft mountain ridge only a few miles away. The design of arrival procedures and approaches, both instrument and VFR, is dictated by the proximity of mountainous terrain just north of Honolulu airport. No reason to panic, as long as you have a plan ‘B’ and you understand what to expect from ATC. Take time to check it out next time you are in Two Harbors! If you can’t make it soon, watch the live streams on our website so you will never miss another vessel landing.įind daily shipping schedules at the RJ Houle Information Center or keep tabs on anticipated arrivals and departures on harborlookout.If you are a visitor to Hawaii or a student pilot you need to familiarize yourself with the procedures for VFR flight routing to Honolulu airport, and some of the quirks and complications that can arise when things get busy or the weather goes murky. It’s amazing to think that this town has a port that influences manufacturing and trade all over the world. The ore is delivered to port by rail from mines in northern Minnesota the vessels load up and transport the ore to steel mills, such as in Northwest Indiana, Detroit, Cleveland, and Ontario. Ships arrive in Two Harbors to load with iron ore, which is the primary ingredient for making steel. You will mostly see ‘lakers’ (ships that travel within the Great Lakes) in Agate Bay, with the occasional ‘salty’ (ocean going vessel). Stood upright from end to end, the biggest ships that we see in our port would stand almost as tall as the Chrysler Building! A popular spot to watch them is from the end of the breakwall, where they come so close that it feels like you can reach out and touch them!

Many of these vessels are over 1,000 feet long and it’s amazing to witness them maneuver in and out of our small port with ease. One of the most awe-inspiring things do in Two Harbors is to watch the ore boats in Agate Bay. Ship Watching Come watch the ships of Lake Superior from our beautiful Two Harbors shores!

Two harbors arrivals departures