If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Mountain Flying
Living in Colorado and doing a bit of mountain flying, I've observed
the following items for consideration when I fly in the mountains. By no means comprehensive, just some observations. 1. Weather. Generally the wind is higher in the mountains and especially when you cross the ridgetops. It is not unusual to see 20mph faster winds directly over the divide. You need a notch better weather for mountain flying than flatland flying. Read and give PIREPS. 2. Decents take some planning. You want to stay below Va due to turbulence (especially true on the lee side of the ridges). You dont want to shock cool your engine (no more than 50 degrees cooling on the CHT per minute according to Lycoming). So you can't just push the nose down, nor can you just pull the power. You have to leave some power in and take some time and distance to come down. You have been leaning on the way up, and the mixture is probably quite far out for the altitude you are descending to. I find it's best to leave the mixture out so long as the engine will run smoothly (usually does at such low or even no power setting). If you get to the pattern and pull the carb heat and get an RPM increase it might be due to the fact that you forgot to richen up at the end of your descent. (Then again it could be carb ice). 3. A lot of pilots in Colorado seem to like straight in approaches in the mountains, and it may be a bit easier that way. If the turbulence is low and the weather is good, I like to fly a standard pattern. I think most all the airports in Colorado, the terrain allows a standard, if a bit tight, of a pattern or slightly modified pattern. Just keep in mind, just because there are mountains doesnt mean you cant fly a pattern. Frequently you can. It is fun and a challenge. Just make sure you leave yourself an out to the downvalley side in case you run out of room or seem to be headed for a ridge that you wont clear. If you go to the Idaho backcountry airports, you will find that they all seem to like to fly patterns in some pretty tight canyons. I was astounded how close to the steep valley side I was flying in doing so. I guess its all what you are used to. 4. Ridge lift. There is usually ridge lift on the windward side of ridges. You should learn how to use it to get you up over the ridge even if your airplane has the power to do so without the lift. It is a very wonderful part of the mountain flying experience and can save you fuel and actually help you get over when it is hot and you are heavy. All for now. Fly safe. |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
Mountain Flying
Have you taken either the CPA high-altitude course or the
mountain course in Idaho? |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Mountain Flying
Blanche wrote in news:1163050411.393609
@irys.nyx.net: Have you taken either the CPA high-altitude course Are accounting rules different at high-altitude? |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
Mountain Flying
Not exactly, but I have flown with experienced pilots and have landed
at every charted airport in Colorado mountains and most of the backcountry airports in Idaho. Idaho technique is a bit different than what is taught in Colorado. In Idaho they tend to fly full patterns in some pretty restricted areas. Colorado seems to advocate more "straight in" approaches. I have done both. Both work. Biggest issue to me is the answer to the question "Is there a go around?". If not, the seriousness of the approach goes up immensely. Stay safe out there. |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
The Impossibility of Flying Heavy Aircraft Without Training | Immanuel Goldstein | Piloting | 365 | March 16th 06 01:15 AM |
The Impossibility of Flying Heavy Aircraft Without Training | Immanuel Goldstein | Home Built | 331 | March 10th 06 01:07 AM |
Flying on the Cheap - Instruments | [email protected] | Home Built | 24 | February 27th 06 02:30 PM |
Mini-500 Accident Analysis | Dennis Fetters | Rotorcraft | 16 | September 3rd 05 11:35 AM |
mountain flying lesson Denver | Michael C Finke | Piloting | 3 | July 4th 05 04:16 AM |