How To: Mountain Flying - A (don't) Crash Course

In this video I share my personal go/no-go checklist for Mountain Flying along with a number of resources to help keep you safe in the Mountains.

Colorado Pilots Association Mountain Flying Ground School:

Winds Aloft Forecast Chart:

Mountain Flying tips, Mountain AWOS information, and a host of other good information:

Colorado Pilots Association – Mountain Flying Tab

THE DONT’S OF MOUNTAIN FLYING - SINGLE ENGINE AIRCRAFT
• Do not attempt night operations – EXTREMELY DANGEROUS
• Do not attempt IFR operations SINGLE OR LIGHT TWIN ENGINE AIRCRAFT
• Do not attempt mountain flying if the 9,000 and 12,000 foot winds are forecast to exceed 30 knots. Winds aloft may be accompanied by severe turbulence, with downdrafts exceeding the climb capability of the aircraft.
• Do not attempt a takeoff unless the loaded aircraft is at least 10% or more below the FAA certified gross weight, and the CG is within limits.
• Do not attempt a mountain flight unless the ceilings are at least 2,000 feet above the highest terrain and visibility is at least 15 miles Night and IFR operations are best left to airlines, medical evacuation and corporate crews using fully capable and equipped aircraft. All other pilots should operate in day, VFR conditions if safety is to prevail.

THE DO’S OF MOUNTAIN FLYING
• Do plan the fuel load to arrive at the destination with a minimum one hour fuel reserve. Strong crosswinds or a disabled aircraft on the runway may require a diversion to an alternate airport.
• Do plan a definite altitude to be flown on each segment of the flight. Consult the sectional chart.
• From over a plotted checkpoint, turn the aircraft to the next planned magnetic course and make a mental note of the observed features along that course. Movement from one ridge line to another may be necessary in climbing toward the pass. Some zigging and zagging across the ridge line you are following may be needed to remain in the best updraft along a ridge. Do not lose sight of the desired points along the segment being flown.
• Always file a flight plan, keep a flight log and make position reports at every opportunity. Close flight plan after arrival at the destination.
• Do have an operable ELT on board.
• Do have a suitable emergency kit to include a supply of water, signal mirror, whistle and extra clothing as appropriate.
• During the summer, terminate flying activities no later than 1:00 PM MDT.
• Do ask for advice and assistance from FBO, FAA personnel, local mountain qualified flight instructors and pilots. These individuals will be friendly and willing to help.

ITEMS FOR EXTRA ATTENTION IN MOUNTAIN FLYING FLIGHT PREPARATION
• Get a complete weather briefing, including pilot reports for your proposed route. Make note of the winds aloft, altimeter settings, surface winds and NOTAMS for all en route airports and destinations.
• Consult POH for takeoff, climb and ceiling capabilities of the aircraft being flown. When calculated climb rates are less than 200 feet/NM, do not depart.
• A high density altitude may prevent you from reaching the altitude listed in the POH as the service ceiling.

Video Content
00:00 - Intro / No-go Checklist
1:00 - No-go item #1
8:40 - No-go item #2
12:25 - No-go item #3
15:04 - Summary

[CrosbyTheNomadNurse]

Thanks for sharing. I'm a low time private pilot (127 hours) Most of my flying is in Georgia and I want to start flying out West. These types of videos are very helpful

[georgestuart]

Well done! One of the best and easiest to understand summaries I have ever seen about mountain flying! I enjoy your channel.

[blueyonder]

You presented this as though you were briefing a friend on what is important when planning a mountain flight in a single engine piston airplane. Nicely done.

[Blue_van_man]

Defiantly keep the videos coming love your stuff!

[rolandrobertson]

I enjoyed your video very much. I live in the Boise, Id. area and looking for a mountain flying course. The covid has put the brakes on instructors, so your video has helped me to understand the hazards a lot better. Looking forward to more of your videos.

[RustyPilotClub]

Great video! Thank you for making and posting it!

[RealRobSwanson]

Great video, good mountain “no go” checklist. I’m a Mooney driver out of KBJC in an M20J, and I run up and over Rollins Pass quite often. Enjoy your channel...

[Xaphoeous]

Really like your videos and appreciate the way you chunk your video timelines into segments for easy navigation!

[pilot-plane-coffee]

Amazing, thank-you SO MUCH for doing this. Until you actually get caught in turbulence near mountains, it’s frightening. You are saving lives sharing your experience and knowledge of flying conditions where you live.

[ZeroAlpha]

great primer for us flatlanders
we are planning a trip west this summer
thx for the info & planning tips!

[TibDriver]

What a great series you have! I discovered your channel just a couple of days ago and it has become a favorite for me...can’t get enough! My home airport is the airport formerly known as Front Range and now we are a Spaceport....
goofy. I’m enjoying learning about out west from you! Those lower passes and the weather aids are things I hadn’t learned about after a mountain flying ground course. By the way, congrats on the new little boy!

[rjbishop]

Good video- I'm also a Front Range pilot (KCOS), with 275 hours. My limit is 25 knots, as the turbulence on the leeward side of some of the passes I have flown can be quite violent. In particular, Marshall pass, as it is one of my common crossing points for Gunnison and Telluride. Your presentation was right on- I could relate to everything you said. Thanks, and Happy New Year!

[Yakman]

Great video. I took a mountains and canyons flying course in a Mooney Ovation in Idaho. Not the best plane for it. But I learned a lot and landed that Mooney in places where no Mooney had gone before! And everything you say is true...assuming a normal airport at departure and arrival!

[austingunn]

This was awesome! Thanks for sharing. I sure wish more mountain passes had reporting stations. Unfortunately, here in the Utah, we don't have many (if any) of those. Otherwise, all very applicable for me as I venture out around Utah. Thank you!

[bobsrv-a]

Great video! What about flying at higher altitudes? 16500 or 17500 Is the strategy different? Or do you still use 30 kts as a rule of thumb? I have a 22k service ceiling so could avoid flying passes. I plan to fly my RV-7A coast to coast so I’m exploring what others do. And certainty not limiting myself to this advice.

[b_Media]

Loved it dude! Thanks for the tips!-Bcoop56

[rbplaysaolson]

Nice job, beautiful backdrop (nice video camera)

[ColinKrieg]

This is awesome. Thanks for making it easy to relate to :)

[wadewhittier]

Just bought a Moonie M20e. It is it front range “space port”my insurance requires 10 hours of flight in a like airplane? They won’t have my ADSB installed until may. Let me know if you have a spare seat I’d love to go up with you. You’re videos are very informative. Thank you

[Mike-hrjz]

You need to do a video on flying a Gyro copter in the mountains