Tenzing-Hillary Airport (VNLK)
Lukla, Nepal · Asia-Pacific
By Renzo, CPL
ICAO
VNLK
IATA
LUA
City
Lukla
Country
Nepal
Region
Asia-Pacific
Elevation
9,334 ft
Runways
1 runway
Coordinates
27.6869, 86.7298
Overview
One of the most dangerous airports in the world. Extremely short runway on a mountainside near Everest.
Current Weather at VNLK
Pilots flying into or out of Tenzing-Hillary Airport should always check the latest METAR (Meteorological Aerodrome Report) before departure. A METAR is a standardized weather observation issued every hour (or more frequently as a SPECI when conditions change rapidly). It includes wind direction and speed, visibility, cloud layers, temperature, dewpoint, and altimeter setting -- everything you need for a safe go/no-go decision.
WDecode METAR for VNLK
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Check Weather Before Your Flight
A thorough weather briefing is essential for safe flight operations at Tenzing-Hillary Airport. Here are the key weather products every pilot should review:
- METARHourly surface observation for VNLK. Includes wind, visibility, ceiling, temp/dewpoint, and altimeter.
- TAFTerminal Aerodrome Forecast covering the next 24-30 hours. Look for expected wind shifts, visibility changes, and precipitation.
- NOTAMNotices to Air Missions for VNLK. Check for runway closures, taxiway restrictions, and navaid outages.
- PIREPPilot Reports from aircraft near Lukla. Real-world turbulence, icing, and cloud top reports.
- SIG/AIRMETArea forecasts for significant weather, turbulence, and icing that may affect operations around Tenzing-Hillary Airport.
Learn to read sectional charts to plan your route visually, and use our crosswind calculator to check runway compatibility with current winds.
Pilot Resources at Tenzing-Hillary Airport
Radio Frequencies
Always verify current frequencies in the Chart Supplement (formerly A/FD) before flight. Common frequencies for airports like VNLK include ATIS/AWOS, Ground, Tower (if towered), Approach/Departure, and Clearance Delivery. Frequencies change -- never rely on outdated sources.
Flight Schools Nearby
Browse flight schools near Lukla and compare training programs.
Private Pilot Guide
Everything you need to earn your PPL, from requirements to checkride prep.
METAR Decoder
Decode any METAR report into plain English. Free tool for student and experienced pilots.
Sectional Chart Guide
Learn to read VFR sectional charts for navigation around Lukla.
Training Availability
No On-Field Training Reported
Tenzing-Hillary Airport is primarily a commercial operations airport. Check nearby GA airports for flight training options.
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