Mountain Flying

Flying a light single-engine aircraft in mountainous terrain is different from any other form of flying. The challenges of interacting with the factors of mountains, weather, wind and aircraft can be handled by acquiring some specific knowledge and skills. And of course, like with any type of flying, mountain flying requires good judgement along with good flying skills.

Introduction

Flying a light single-engine aircraft in mountainous terrain is different from any other form of flying. The challenges of interacting with the factors of mountains, weather, wind and aircraft can be handled by acquiring some specific knowledge and skills. And of course, like with any type of flying, mountain flying requires good judgement along with good flying skills.

Navigation

Mountain navigation is quite different than flatland flying. It closely resembles that old tongue in cheek explanation of IFR flight…I follow roads OR railways.

For a cross-country flight, select the VFR routes identified by magenta diamonds on the VNC. It is not necessary to follow them at all times but they do indicate where the wider valleys, often with roads and populated areas, providing more options for turning around and, in an emergency, more options for a landing.

The key to safer navigation for mountain flying is to always plan a route that always provides plenty of room to turn around in.

Density Altitude

Density altitude is an important factor in mountain flying. At high altitudes or in high temperatures, the density of air is reduced, affecting the performance of your aircraft. A combination of hot, high and humid will make it even worse.

Weather

Pushing the weather is one of the most common and fatal mistakes in mountain flying.

180 Degree Turn

Safe mountain flight is based on early detection of hazardous situations. But, one day, because of poor visibility or descending air you might find yourself unable to continue in the valley or pass that you are flying in. You will have to make a 180 and return from the way you came.

Tips

Managing the risk in mountain flying requires you to follow some basic, but very important rules.

Lessons Learned

A remarkable lesson on the optical illusions that are in the mountains and that you need to trust your maps and not what your eyesight tells you sometimes.

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Aircraft Egress

If you regularly fly over water as a pilot or passenger this is a must view video. As a passenger, Bryan Webster experienced a crash landing into water early in his aviation career. What Bryan learned from surviving that life threatening situation stayed with him throughout his 25 year plus commercial aviation career. While looking for an aircraft egress training course in the mid 1990's, he discovered that none existed for pilots outside of the military, so he recognized the need and developed one himself. In this video we learn the importance of taking an egress training course and being prepared for an emergency over water.

Introduction

What Bryan learned from surviving this life threatening situation stayed with him throughout his 25 year aviation career.

While looking for aircraft egress training courses in the mid '90s, he discovered that, outside the military, none existed for pilots so he recognized the need and developed one himself.

Tips

After surviving a crash landing into water as a passenger early in his aviation career, then flying as a commercial pilot for more than 25 years and spending fifteen years teaching aircraft egress techniques, Bryan Webster knows a lot about how to prepare for and survive an aircraft emergency over water.

Here's a sample of some aircraft egress tips and techniques taken from this course.

Emergency Water Landing

Aviate, navigate, communicate. Three things you must do well, while sustaining a catastrophic engine failure where the only chance of survival is preparing for an emergency water landing.

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Uncontrolled Aerodrome

One of the realities behind living in the second largest country in the world is that the only way to reach many parts of Canada is by Aircraft. As a result, Canada is populated by a huge number of places to land – everything from International Airports, to smaller General Aviation Aerodromes, to thousands of privately-owned airstrips spread from coast to coast to coast.

The purpose of this video is to either acquaint, or more likely, reacquaint you with the correct way to operate out of the different kinds of landing strips you’ll encounter while flying across this vast nation.

Introduction

Radio and flight procedures for landing and departing Non-Tower Aerodromes using ATF and MF.

Departing a MF Aerodrome

Radio and flight procedures for departing a MF Aerodrome.

Landing at a MF Aerodrome

Radio and flight procedures for landing at a MF Aerodrome.

Departing an ATF Aerodrome

Radio and flight procedures for departing an ATF Aerodrome.

Landing at an ATF Aerodrome

Radio and flight procedures for landing at an ATF Aerodrome.

Nordo Introduction

An Introduction into NORDO flight regulations and when they are applicable.

Nordo Arriving and Departing

NORDO flight regulations for Arriving and Departing a NORDO Aerodrome.

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