To avoid conflict with Harry Reid International Airport (KLAS) traffic to the west, Henderson Executive Airport (KHND) may require straight-in approaches. Based on analysis of industry safety data, a significant fraction of operators receive a Ground Proximity Warning System (GWPS) Terrain Awareness alert due to increasing terrain 4-5 nm from the runway when instructed to join an extended final straight-in to runway 35R/35L during a visual approach at KHND. The Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) is not usable beyond 3.3 nm and 3.5nm runway thresholds of 35L and 35R respectively.
Flight crews should be aware of their energy management, primarily airspeed and descent rate, as they clear the terrain. While maintaining a higher altitude to avoid the terrain or executing a recovery action in response to a Terrain Awareness alert, flights may also experience a GPWS Terrain or Sink Rate caution on descent into the airport.
Operators should also be aware of the extreme density altitudes that are present during the summer months at KHND. When combined with the rising terrain to the South and close proximity of the surface Class B airspace to the north, these altitudes present a potential hazard for aircraft departing from KHND.
Please review the KHND Operational one-pager at https://www.faa.gov/media/75286 and watch the From the Flight Deck video that highlights runway configurations, hot spots, and other challenges at KHND at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9czJjRMnARA. You can also view the KHND Arrival Alert Notice here: https://www.faa.gov/airports/runway_safety/hotspots/aan/HND-Arrival-Alert-Notice.pdf.
For questions, contact John Waugh ([email protected]), FAASTeam Program Manager at the Las Vegas FSDO.