Anyone fly KASE?

What's it like to fly in and out of Aspen (KASE)?

I've been flying in and out in simulation and it seems challenging. It makes
me wonder what it must be like in real life. What are the most distinctive
characteristics of the airfield? Is it as challenging to fly into or out of
in real life as it seems to be in the simulator? Just the list of remarks on
AirNav for the airport sounds a bit ominous.

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On Feb 11, 2:38 pm, Mxsmanic wrote:
What's it like to fly in and out of Aspen (KASE)?

I've been flying in and out in simulation and it seems challenging. It makes
me wonder what it must be like in real life. What are the most distinctive
characteristics of the airfield? Is it as challenging to fly into or out of
in real life as it seems to be in the simulator? Just the list of remarks on
AirNav for the airport sounds a bit ominous.

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VFR to Aspen is really not a big deal. From the west, follow the
valley from Carbondale. It is trickier from the east. Independence
pass is not recommended because it has many alleys and blind canyons
that can become a trap. A better route is Hagermann pass to Rudi
reservoir, and then turn south.

I have never flown IFR to Aspen. The MEA's are too high for the
airplanes I fly.

Andrew Sarangan writes:

VFR to Aspen is really not a big deal.

Every time I've tried it in simulation (which uses real-world weather), it
seems like I'm confronted with IMC at some point. I figure this must have to
do with the mountains and all. It was clear just now, however, but I was IFR.

From the west, follow the valley from Carbondale. It is trickier from
the east. Independence pass is not recommended because it has many alleys
and blind canyons that can become a trap. A better route is Hagermann pass
to Rudi reservoir, and then turn south.

Thanks. I'll try that on my next flight, weather permitting. I assume all
these spots are marked on the sectional.

Coming from the east it seems to be quite a steep hike over the mountains.
The Baron twin will do it, although it's not happy about it. I haven't tried
in a single-engine plane. Of course I must take plenty of virtual oxygen with
me.

I have never flown IFR to Aspen. The MEA's are too high for the
airplanes I fly.

I had a hard time understanding the plate for the LOC/DME approach, especially
since it says "fly visual" at the bottom. And there are apparently no STARs.

I was happy to note today that it seemed a lot easier to land at KASE than it
did a few hundred hours of flying ago. I don't know if I'd risk it in real
life, although the scenery looks fabulous.

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Mxsmanic wrote:
What's it like to fly in and out of Aspen (KASE)?

I've been flying in and out in simulation and it seems challenging. It makes
me wonder what it must be like in real life. What are the most distinctive
characteristics of the airfield? Is it as challenging to fly into or out of
in real life as it seems to be in the simulator? Just the list of remarks on
AirNav for the airport sounds a bit ominous.

challenging.

I had a hard time understanding the plate for the LOC/DME approach, especially
since it says "fly visual" at the bottom. And there are apparently no STARs.

At 2.6 miles from the DME you must be visual or do a missed approach.
I'd never seen this before but I'm sure that's what this means.

Mike

Not as Arrogant as Mxsmanic writes:

I don't know if I'll ever walk on the moon barefoot. I suspect the odds are the
same for both events.

Your scenario is far more improbable.

I tried flying to KASE tonight, VFR. It was quite a harrowing experience. I
got lost for a time and came very uncomfortably close to a variety of
unfriendly mountains. But I did eventually make it, with only a dozen gallons
or so of fuel left in the tanks.

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writes:

At 2.6 miles from the DME you must be visual or do a missed approach.
I'd never seen this before but I'm sure that's what this means.

Thanks. The missed approach would be quite a wild ride with low visibility.
Hmm ... Maybe I'll try the missed approach under exactly those conditions.

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Not as Arrogant as Mxsmanic writes:

Did you file an ASRS form?

No.

What are the fuel prices?

I let my accountant worry about that.

Did you stay overnight?

I'm still parked at the airport, but I always stay at home during the night.

What hotel? Did the FBO get a discounted rate for you?

See above.

How was the departure, or are you still there?

I'm still there, although I'll probably move back to KDEN and try the flight
again in daylight, and with some revised routing.

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Michelle P wrote:

Mxsmanic wrote:
What's it like to fly in and out of Aspen (KASE)?

I've been flying in and out in simulation and it seems challenging. It makes
me wonder what it must be like in real life. What are the most distinctive
characteristics of the airfield? Is it as challenging to fly into or out of
in real life as it seems to be in the simulator? Just the list of remarks on
AirNav for the airport sounds a bit ominous.

challenging.

That depends. In a RV-6A from the east I fly up to Leadville then WNW
over Turquoise Lake (I believe) then as Andrew mentioned. Just fly
over the mountains. No canyons to worry about.

Ron Lee

Ron Lee writes:

That depends. In a RV-6A from the east I fly up to Leadville then WNW
over Turquoise Lake (I believe) then as Andrew mentioned. Just fly
over the mountains. No canyons to worry about.

What altitude do you fly, and what's the ceiling of your aircraft?

Also, do you use oxygen, and if so, at what altitude do you prefer to use it
(over and above FAR requirements)?

I'm about to try a Buena Vista - Turquoise Lake - Hagermann Pass - Ruedi
Reservoir route now, during the day (in real time). I didn't do very well
last night. This time I put lots of user waypoints in the GPS, just in case,
although I'm trying not to do anything that cannot be done with VORs alone.

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