Reagan National and Gravelly Point

I found an article today that lists the top ten scariest runways in the World. Number three on the list is Regan National when the landing approach must follow the Potomac. I have taken numerous flights in and out of the DC area and I usually use Dulles, and one of those reasons is the Potomac approach for Reagan National. I’ve done it a few times and I always white-knuckle on the seat when the plane banks 60 degrees on the final approach.

From Travel and Leisure here:

Reagan National requires pilots flying the so-called River Visual into the airport to follow the Potomac while steering clear of sensitive sites such as the Pentagon and CIA headquarters before making a steep turn and landing on this natural peninsula. Taking off, too, is a white-knuckle event in which pilots are required to climb quickly and execute a steep left bank to avoid flying over the White House.

The coolest thing about National is Gravelly Point. See the patch of green on the spit of land at the end of the runway above? That’s a public park. Its awesome to be there when the planes are landing from that direction, especially at night. Standing right below the airplanes as they skim just a couple of hundred feet above you at over 150 mph is a powerful experience you can’t find at any other airport. An example of what its like is below courtesy of YouTube.