SPECIALTY TRAINING
Mountain Flight Training
Train with instructors who fly the Rocky Mountains daily and earn the mountain flying checkout that high-country flying demands.
Why Learn Mountain Flying?
The Highlight of a Lifetime of Flying
One of the greatest thrills of being a pilot is the opportunity to fly throughout the majestic Rocky Mountains. With snowcapped peaks, high deserts and grasslands, and many interesting public-use airports, mountain flying can be the highlight in a lifetime of flying.
Mountain flying isn’t without risk. Narrow and sloping runways, one-way airports, density altitudes in excess of 10,000 feet and unpredictable and abrupt changes in weather will test any pilot’s decision-making abilities and skills.
The Requirement
All AFS pilots wishing to fly in the mountains need a mountain flying checkout.
Statistics show that pilots without the training and skills needed for safe flight over mountainous terrain often get themselves into situations which are beyond their capabilities. The risks are minimized when a pilot fully understands the conditions commonly encountered in mountainous regions, the specific challenges of destination airports, and the performance characteristics of their aircraft.
Any pilot with their own aircraft is highly encouraged to earn the checkout as well. It can be accomplished entirely through one-on-one instruction, or by taking the Mountain Flying Ground School Course in combination with a one-on-one mountain flight session.
Course at a Glance
Training Includes
- Ground school instruction
- Personalized mountain flight
- High-altitude airport operations
- Route planning and weather analysis
- Density altitude and aircraft performance
- Emergency procedures and survival planning
Ideal for
- Pilots new to mountain flying
- Aircraft owners
- Pilots planning to fly throughout mountainous regions
Prerequisites
- Private Pilot Certificate or Higher
The Course
Two Parts, One Checkout
01
Ground School — 4 hours
Pilots learn the fundamentals of performance considerations, developing go/no-go judgment skills, mountain flight planning, and building confidence for mountain flying.
02
Mountain Flying — your own route
Each student flies an individually customized mountain flight route.
Time & Investment
How Much Does It Cost?
| Item | Hours | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Ground School (member rate) | 4 | $99 |
| Aircraft Rental ($219/hour estimate) | 4 | $876 |
| Instructor ($80/hour) | 6 | $480 |
| Estimated Total | 14 | $1,455 |
These prices are just an estimate. Actual costs will vary on an individual basis depending on location, different learning styles, the proficiency and preparation of the pilot, as well as the type of aircraft and length of flight.
Curriculum
What You'll Cover
Both the ground course and the flight incorporate the following topics.
1
Performance & Density Altitude
- How to calculate density altitude and its dramatic effect on engine performance, propeller efficiency, and overall aircraft performance as altitude increases
- Computing weight and balance and takeoff and landing distances
- Why maneuvering speed (VA) matters and how it changes with gross weight
- Given an aircraft's make, model, engine, and propeller configuration, what kind of mountain flying is safe and what kind to simply avoid
2
Wind, Weather & Turbulence
- How wind affects flying in mountainous terrain, how much altitude to have approaching a ridge or pass, and how the winds aloft affect that number
- Typical mountain weather patterns
- Where to expect turbulence, and how to read the clouds to anticipate its severity
- Procedures for dealing with severe downdrafts and wind shear
3
Route Planning & Terrain
- How and when to approach ridges and canyons
- How to review route options in detail — how wind speed aloft, wind direction, and cloud bases influence route selection
- Minimum runway lengths, and how to establish a point on the departure runway beyond which takeoff should be aborted if not airborne
4
Judgment & Safety
- Determining “safety zones” in the mountains
- Looking at the “big picture” in making go/no-go decisions
- What to include in a mountain flying survival pack
Still have questions about mountain flying?