Mountain flying represents a real challenge for most flatland pilots. At the same time the rewards are tremendous, offering very spectacular sceneries and views. It also means that the pilot needs training, develop skills and knowledge to fly safely in such an environment. We provide some basic knowledge on this subject, but this is no substitute for real training in the actual environment.

Make sure that you receive thorough training with a qualified instructor or experienced mountain pilot. Flying in mountain area's leaves little room for error. Effects of density altitude and degraded performance needs to be recognized. Get a good demonstration of soft, short field take-off and landings. Practice minimum radius turns, just in case you need one. We are discussing the mountain preflight phase on this page.

Mountain Flight Planning and Preflight

Establish your own personal minimums for mountain flying. These should be higher than for normal flatland flying, depending on your own experience of course. Recommended minimums: 5 mile vis., 2000' ceiling, winds less than 20Kts and no precipitation.

Pilot briefing
Get a good weather briefing and make sure you get the latest NOTAMs for the area. Check to see if any navigation aids are not working at the time of your flight. Weather in the mountains can change very quickly, be aware of any trends will help. In the morning flying conditions are generally better than in the afternoon when clouds and wind usually pickup.

Weather briefing
When checking for the weather make sure it is up to date as weather in the mountains can change very quickly. Try to grasp the big picture of what is happening and look for trends. Actual reports from people in the area are the best.

Passenger briefing
When flying in these circumstances do inform your passengers to bring practical footwear, warm clothes in spite of warm weather at the airport. Do the normal pax brief but give details about flying in the mountains and its effect on the aircraft. Especially about the danger of loose objects in the aircraft. Show them how the seatbelts operate and the location of airsickness bags, emergency equipment, ELT and survival gear.

Communications
VHF radio signals are limited to line of sight. This can be a problem when flying in these area's. Behind a mountain radio reception is shielded off. Like the shadow from the mountain by the sun. LF signals also have tendency to be reflected by mountains leading you to think that a NDB beacon is in that direction, read this.

When closing flight plans by radio make sure that you are at a altitude which allows communication with air traffic control. Closing by phone may not by possible if cell phone coverage is not available on the ground.

Navigation
This one cannot be said enough: Get current VFR charts for the area. If you insist on having and using a GPS system, keep that one updated too! Prepare a good navigation log for your trip and keep it updated as your flight progresses. This way getting lost is more difficult.

Think about the route: over flatland a straight line should work if you keep airspace limitations in mind. In mountain areas this is not always possible. Talk to other mountain pilots, find out what routes they normally use. When it comes to surviving a forced landing it helps to fly a route close to populated areas. See if the terrain you fly over allows a forced landing, adjust accordingly. Plan to fly at such an altitude that a glide to a landing spot is possible.

Performance
Reread your aircraft performance charts and take note of high temperatures and altitudes and how they effect the aircraft in terms of runway lengths, take-off roll, rate of climb and if clearance with the terrain can be maintained.

Rule of thumb is that for every 10% weight increase the take-off distance increases with 21%. Keep this in mind when flying around and landing at high elevation airports. It is best to keep the weight as low as possible. Plan for a fuel stop at a lower altitude airport.

Preflight
Plan mountain flying early in the day, before the sun heats up the air and creates turbulence which can be really dangerous. Late in the afternoon (after peak heating) should be ok too after turbulence dies out. Gather all pertinent information about the runways you wish to use: surface type, length, slope and condition. Check for any recent snowfall or rainfall which would prevent the use of the runway or taxiways. You should know the departure and arrival procedures at the destinations, call the airport before the flight. Inquire about go around possibilities of difficulties.

In addition to the normal aircraft preflight procedure, it is wise to avoid unneccessary payload; this will make sure that you have maximum performance from your aircraft. If there is any payload, make sure it is adequately stored as turbulence in the mountains can be stronger than expected. And do not forget to clean the windows!

Before take-off, do set your personal limits. Check the winds aloft, cloud base and visibility limits and set your escape options, just in case the weather turns bad. Check the latest time you can depart in order to arrive with enough daylight left and have you completed the "I'm safe checklist"?

Terrain
The terrain can be very impressive and the size and scale difficult to appreciate. The aircraft is a very small dot in the landscape. Make sure to study current charts during preflight. Make a mental picture of your route and the land you will fly over. If the weather goes bad, you will know if a certain pass will take you to lower terrain. An adage comes to mind: do not fly up an valley you have not previously flown down.

Another valley danger presents itself in the form of high voltage wires. These hang across and over ridges into the valley, so be careful when flying below the ridge line. Plan your route according to terrain, following ridges and in up-flowing air whenever possible. If in doubt: get instruction from someone familiar and in low and high level navigation in mountains.

Set your route up according to the terrain and according to the wind, it may not be a straight line. Prepare to follow mountain ridges, ranges or valleys. Fly on the upwindside in the valley, this gives maximum room to turn if needed.

Flying at low level in a valley or at high level above the mountains gives a complete different view. Make sure to get instruction from an experience local instructor. Navigation can be a real challenge and when the weather turns poor the workload could be too high.