Vortices stream from the flaps in the humid dawn air. After having sequenced this beauty for Runway 34, I'm just in time to catch it on short final on my way home.

Used as the jumping-off point for Everest treks, at 9380ft, Lukla airport is the third-highest in the world. The parking apron has room for only four aircraft but turn-around times are no more than 10 minutes. The weather always closes in during the afternoon so flight operations cease at about 1400. In the background can be seen our overnight accommodation, the Buddha Lodge

If you look carefully you will see a Twin Otter (Yeti Airlines 9N-AET) on finals to this extraordinary airport. The runway is a 1700ft strip running 12% uphill, on the edge of a deep ravine and ending at a sheer mountain wall. All landings are uphill (06), all take-offs downhill (24). Only captains with at least seven years' experience are allowed to fly there

Starting the downhill take-off plunge. Later sold to Yeti Airlines, sadly this aircraft crashed on 15.12.10 soon after Yeti had been rebranded as Tara Air

Sita Air, Agni Air, Nepal Airlines, Yeti Air and Shangri-La Air were all serving Lukla at this time, the Dorniers and Twin Otters being met by Sherpas using enormous wicker baskets on their backs to offload supplies - the village at the start of the Everest trail is totally dependent on the air connection. Agni Air have since adopted a more colourful livery