Mountain Flying Basics - Altitude for Pass Crossing
One of the frequent topics that comes up during our mountain flying courses is what is the correct elevation for pass crossing. I'll attempt to make the answer as straight forward as possible however there are several considerations.
The first thing to remember is that we should always keep our airplane in a position to turn towards lower terrain. Now as you approach the pass, many valleys narrow - each one will be different, but the basic premise of pass crossing is that you shouldn't cross the pass until you are at an altitude that is sufficient to allow power off glide to the pass or ridge from your position, at the same time you should not put the airplane in a position where it cannot turn towards lower terrain. So as you approach the pass or ridge, if you arrive at a point where you must turn away from the pass in order to (1) keep the plane in a position to turn towards lower terrain, then you would do exactly that and turn away from the pass because you are (2) not at an altitude that is sufficient to allow a power off glide to the ridge. As you come around again after a circle to gain some altitude you can now see you are high enough to glide to the ridge top, then you can continue up the valley to cross the pass. As you cross the pass, do so at a 45 degree angle if it allows so that you have the option of reversing course back to the side of the pass you came from.
Keep in mind I'm not saying we cross the ridge power off - that's simply the means for determining if we are indeed high enough to warrant continuing towards the pass to cross.
Alpine Flight Training offers a variety of mountain flying clinics, ideally suited to all skill levels. Call 970-401-5105 for more information.
Mountain Flying Strategy | Climbing in the Pattern
Earlier today I was hanging out at the funnest place on earth - the Vail Valley Jet Center, and a pilot called the FBO to ask about mountain flying. Well naturally, being the local CFI and being the lobby the phone got passed to me. The VFR pilot on the other end of the line was coming to the area for the first time and wanted to know if climbing in the pattern was something that could be done.
Overall this strategy is a good one, and it's something I've done many times. Simply take off, let the tower know you want to make a lap through the pattern and continue climbing. This is a great way to get to your crossing altitude. Not only does it keep you over friendly terrain, but also keeps you near an ideal landing site. I specifically do this at night quite frequently - I think it's a great strategy for circling over the airfield or city when the lights are below you to gain altitude before departing the area enroute - expecially where there is mountainous terrain.
The only complexity of this strategy really only comes into play if the weather is less than ideal, or the traffic to the airport is heavy. Here's why. You can assume at any given field there are probably a couple instrument approaches, with missed approach procedures. There is also the "go around" flight path to the runway. As you climb in the pattern, you are climbing through airspace that is sometime used for that go around or used for the missed approach. Let's say as a VFR pilot you're in clear airspace directly above the airport, but to the east is a cloud formation and arriving aircraft from the east are on instrument approach. Assuming the arriving aircraft don't see the airport by the missed approach point then they start their go around, then they may pop out of the clouds right where you're circling to climb.
No strategy is perfect, but this an overall good one.
Diamond DA-20 Katana Training Resources
Following is a link to revision 25 of the Airplane Flight Manual for the DA-20 C1 Katana Eclipse
The following is an excellent supplement to the DA-20 AFM. This is a composite guide to training in the DA-20.
Eagle and Vail Valley Aviation Ground School
Alpine Flight Training, with offices at the Vail Valley Jet Center conducts regular Aviation Ground School sessions. If you would like a schedule or would like to join one our upcoming Aviation Ground Schools please e-mail loren@alpineflighttraining.com or call 970-401-5105. We follow the Jeppessen curriculum for both private pilot and instrument ratings. Classes are generally held in the evening at the Eagle County Airport at the Vail Valley Jet Center in our offices in Hangar 1.
If you are interested in attending our upcoming ground school please call 970-401-5105.
Watch One Six Right On Hulu For Free
Anyone even remotely interested in learning to fly should see this movie. You can watch One Six Right on Hulu for free, click the image below to begin playing.
Aircraft Rental in Vail Eagle Colorado
If you're just visiting Vail, Glenwood Springs, or the Eagle Valley give us a call. We'll set up a flight with one of our instructors to show you mountain flying first hand. One the most popular trips both summer or winter is a flight to Leadville or Telluride. Leadville Is The highest airport in north America and Telluride is the second highest airport. Both flights provide an excellent scenic experience that combines enjoyment and learning.
Alpine Flight Training offers pilot training and aircraft rental in the Vail Valley. Our aircraft is a Diamond DA-20 Eclipse, commonly referred to as a Katana and is the later generation of the tried and true Katana aircraft. The original Diamond DA-20 Katana was equipped with a 90 hp Rotax 912 engine. The Eclipse version we have at Alpine Flight Training is the C1 model equipped with a 125 hp Continental IO-240 that delivers excellent performance especially useful for Mountain Flying. Our Katana Eclipse, with it's larger engine delivers similar takeoff distances as a Cessna 172 SP, but provides superior climb performance, a faster cruise speed, and a fuel burn nearly 1/2 that of the Cessna 172 SP and a slower landing speed. The Katana was originally inspired by european glider design, and also features superior glide performance of 22:1 compared to the 17:1 glide ratio of the Cessna 172 SP as well as excellent visibility through it's bubble canopy design.
Learning to fly in the winter
I am frequently asked what the best season is to learn to fly. Often I see people that want to learn to fly put it off because they think winter is a bad time to fly.
Nothing could be further from the truth. Winter is an incredible time of year. The cold air means dense air, and that means great performance from our airplanes. The planes climb faster, cruise faster and the engine cooling issues of the summer vanish. It's true, the occasional winter storm grounds us, but that's no different then the thunderstorms that ground us throughout the summer. Even with the winter storms, we can still fly on average six out of every 7 days.
What's more, winter creates an incredible winter landscape. One of the most incredible sights is flying over the snow covered rocky mountains under clear skies and a full moon.
Here in the Rockies, every season presents a unique set of challenges and opportunities Flight training in the spring often brings good weather and brisk winds. Training in the summer is marked by beautiful mornings and warm weather that later turns to afternoon thunderstorms. In the fall we see the beginning of winter storms, but great fall colors and many smooth days. And finally, in the winter we have an incredible landscape, ample smooth flying days.
No matter what the season, it's always a great season to learn to fly in the Colorado Rockies. To learn more about flight instruction call one of our instructors at Eagle Airport
Learn to Fly in Glenwood Springs Colorado
Glenwood Springs Colorado is a great place to learn to fly. You get a blend of aviation old and new. The Glenwood Springs Airport, located a couple miles south of town is a small 3300 foot runway that shows you the way airports used to be. One of the great things about Glenwood however is there are the larger more modern airport Eagle located just 10 minutes away. A new student learning to fly has tremendous opportunity in Glenwood Springs. They can learn to navigate to and from a true mountain airport like Glenwood, but still be able to learn about tower communications, controlled airspace, and have a 9000 foot long runway that is ample wide to practice landings on.
Alpine Flight Training provides flight training and flight instruction at the Glenwood Springs airport for Private and Instrument ratings. If you have ever wanted to learn to fly, start now. Give our knowledgeable instructors a call and we will schedule an introductory flight today. (970) 401-5105
A great show... Wings and Wheels 2011
This weekend we had a great turnout for Wings and Wheels. Not only were there more cars, more plane, and more exhibits, but also more visitors and the ramp was bustling with activity. A job well done goes to the Vail Valley Jet Center for putting together a spectacular event and well organized. Below is a photo our our booth that was beside the Challenger 300 that people could look inside.
2nd Annual Wheels and Wings this Weekend
Come visit the 2nd annual Wheels and Wings show this saturday at Eagle airport. Alpine Flight Training will be there with an aicraft on display.
Second Annual Wheels and Wings Show, September 10-11, 2011
The most comprehensive auto, aircraft and motorcycle show in Western Colorado, the Wheels and Wings Show features an unparalleled display of machinery. With over 200 cars, 30 airplanes and other aircraft and 30 motorcycles, the 2011 show will amaze, entertain and blow you away.
10 am Gates open to the public
10 am to 12pm Aircraft, car and motorcycle judging
10:15 am Helicopter and Airplane rides commence
12:30 pm Winners are marked with ribbons
1 pm Winners are lined up for presentation
1:30 pm Award Ceremony
2:30 pm Last helicopter and airplane rides
3 pm Gates close