Monday, July 23, 2012

Mountain Flying Safety and Training Part II


We covered the worst case scenario in Mountain Flying. A crash. Now, heres the rest of the story in pieces.

Before you consider mountain terrain think about requirements.

Your Requirements as a Pilot


  • Experience
  • Your Background - it is essential to attend a certified mountain flying course to give you the knowledge and skills you need for your safety and prevent damage to your plane
  • Mountain flying is no place for a low-time pilot still in training and practicing what he/she was taught. Hours of logged time should, at a minimum, be 150 to 200 hours. you need the extra training for the more extensive trip planning, navigation and what to look for in weather reports keyed for mountains

Aircraft Requirements

  • No horse power lower than 160 HP to 170 HP. Density altitude plays a major role in reducing the effectiveness of an airplanes engine
  • Watch and know what your gross weight limits are. Gross weight will affect take off, climb and altitude performance. The weight and horsepower combine to make mountain flying dangerous if you fly with marginal power and too much weight.
  • Add 60 HP to the minimum horsepower for each passenger you carry. If you have a four place plane add 180 HP to the 160 HP. A minimum power requirement is 340 HP to safely fly mountain terrain.

Ceiling and Weather Requirements

  • If you intend to fly over mountain passes plan on giving you, your plane and passengers the benefit of a long enough distance and rate of climb to clear the top of the pass. 1,000 feet is the requirement taught in courses. Most passes are over 10,000 feet mean sea level and require a clearance 1,000 feet below the clouds. Adding this requirement to the 1,000 feet just to clear the ridge makes a 2,000 foot factor in your flight planning.
  • Weather reporting stations are few and far between in the mountains. Contact a high elevation airport for an accurate determination for the ceiling over the pass. You need a full report on winds and turbulence before you leave. Better now than in the air.

Visibility Requirements


  • Experienced mountain pilots use 15 miles visibility before any mountain flying. The mountains interfere with NAV aids and navigation by pilotage and dead reckoning are your choices. Illusions are present in mountain flying. Good visibility is one way to combat illusions and keep you on course with the constant  distraction of scenery and geographical marks. Navigation marks are confusing in some situations.

These requirements differ from region to region. They are basic and a good mountain flying course will add more information.