MOUNTAIN FLYING FAMILIARIZATION COURSE
Presented by Multiple NM CAP Members
OBJECTIVE: To provide ground and flight training to better prepare CAP aircrews
to operate in various types of mountain environments and to familiarize NM CAP
pilots with mountain flying including, density altitude, mountain winds, mountain
weather, high altitude operations and flight planning.
Ground Training: Introduction to mountain flying considerations, determining
aircraft performance, determining density altitude, use of the KOCH Chart,
calculating weight and balance, determining mountain weather patterns,
obtaining weather forecasts, escaping downdrafts, ridge crossing techniques,
oxygen requirements, review of recent mountain flying accidents, chart reading
and flight planning for flight to three high elevation airports.
Flight Training: Determining weight and balance, calculating takeoff distance,
proper use of mixture control, obtaining a weather briefing, filing a VFR Flight
Plan, position reports and PIREPS, determining cruise performance, service
ceilings, selecting altitudes, oxygen requirements for flight, handling turbulence,
steep turns and wingovers, selecting emergency landing sites, calculating landing
distances, and flying to several mountain airports.
Scenarios:
Flight into and out of Airport #1 (KAXX)- High altitude airport (elevation 8380 feet
MSL) located between two mountain ranges with elevations of over 10,000 feet
MSL. Runway length 8900 feet.
What to consider about Airport #1- Where to fly when flying down a
canyon, Obtaining weather briefing determining best approach to airport,
effect of winds aloft around the high mountains and through the mountain
pass, listening to AWOS to determine wind direction and velocity,
temperature/dew point, altimeter setting. Based upon that information
determine which runway should be used for landing and what distance is
required for landing. For departure, calculate takeoff distance and rate of
climb based upon Operating Manual and KOCH Chart. Use of circling to
gain altitude prior to going on course to next airport, overhead ascent,
overhead descents.
Question- Can you land safely under the current conditions and if you land,
will you be able to takeoff and climb out to clear terrain?
Flying into and out of Airport #2 (KLAM)- High altitude airport (elevation 7170
feet MSL) located on lee side of high mountain range with elevations over 10000
feet MSL. Runway length 5550 feet.
What to consider about Airport #2- Safe way to cross ridges enroute from
search area near Mt. Baldy, winds along lee side of the mountain range,
listening to AWOS to determine wind direction and velocity, determine safe
airspeeds to fly approach into this one way airport, as traffic must land
using runway 27 and depart using runway 09. Calculate distance for landing
and takeoff, calculate rate of climb using Operating Manual and KOCH
Chart. Circling to gain altitude while departing airport. Position report to
Flight Service.
Question-With the rapidly rising terrain to the West, can you safely execute
a go-around? What would be your plan? Discuss.
Question- At what temperature and wind condition would takeoff and
climb out be difficult with your aircraft? Discuss.
Question-What are the effects on takeoff distance of the downslope of the
departure runway? Discuss.
Flight into and out of Airport #3 (E92)- High altitude airport (elevation 6100 feet
msl with gravel runway) located in the flat lands with mountains nearby with
elevations over 9000 feet msl. Runway length 4000 feet.
What to consider about Airport #3- Winds aloft, winds at
mountain tops (venturi effect), safe ridge crossings, where to look
for updrafts and downdrafts, escaping downdrafts, handling turbulence,
determining which runway should be used for landing and takeoffs based
upon wind sock only, how to obtain an accurate altimeter setting. (No
automated weather reporting at this airport) Use of pilotage and charts to
locate airport (no navigation facilities-GPS not authorized). Calculate
landing and takeoff distances for unimproved surface along with rate of
climb using Operating Manual and KOCH Chart. Practice soft-field landing
and takeoff techniques. Position report to Flight Service.
Question- Under what conditions would you not land at this airport?
Flight back to base airport- Use pilotage and chart only to navigate
Back to base airport. Consider best way to cross ridges, best altitudes best
location (where you can expect to get either updrafts of downdrafts). Use current
weather information to calculate time and fuel requirements. Remember, at
least a 1 hour reserve when you fly in the mountains.