Mountain rating
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Unless it is a requirement by a specific airfield to hold a mountain rating, I would bother doing an EASA Mountain Rating. Having said that many experienced civil and military pilots have come a cropper in mountainous and remote areas.
My advice would be:
(a) Study meteorology at an advanced level (ATPL) with respect to updrafts, downdrafts, turbulence, icing, mountain fog, etc..
(b) know your aircraft's performance.
(c) Understand the perception issues on snow covered landscapes and the problem of 'white out'.
(d) When in valleys always have an escape route.
(e) Consider the survival and rescue issues in remote areas.
(f) Get some dual flying experience in mountain flying with an experienced instructor in the French Alps, Canada or the USA.
Some of the above will not be on the MR course. I should add that 'white out' is not flying in a snow storm as some pilots think, follow the link below:
https://www.faasafety.gov/gslac/ALC/...l.aspx?id=6844
My advice would be:
(a) Study meteorology at an advanced level (ATPL) with respect to updrafts, downdrafts, turbulence, icing, mountain fog, etc..
(b) know your aircraft's performance.
(c) Understand the perception issues on snow covered landscapes and the problem of 'white out'.
(d) When in valleys always have an escape route.
(e) Consider the survival and rescue issues in remote areas.
(f) Get some dual flying experience in mountain flying with an experienced instructor in the French Alps, Canada or the USA.
Some of the above will not be on the MR course. I should add that 'white out' is not flying in a snow storm as some pilots think, follow the link below:
https://www.faasafety.gov/gslac/ALC/...l.aspx?id=6844
Last edited by Homsap; 25th Jan 2017 at 09:29.
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Thanks Homsap. The MR is just something I'd like to do, much the same as some folks wanting to do a seaplane rating. You could call it a bucket-list thing really! I was skiing in Alpe d'Huez a couple of years back and visited the altiport in the resort. Unfortunately the school and MRI there didn't speak English, so I didn't pursue it. I'm a fATPL, so done the advanced Met bits as you suggested, albeit I'd probably need to refresh these. A long shot on here maybe, but just wondered if there were any recommendations as to places to do it in EASA-land.
Cheers,
FW
Cheers,
FW
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Please do it......too many people flying around in the mountains without knowing what they are doing.....plank wings might be a different story again, but in the helicopter world too many people get killed because pilots overestimate their own abilities and ignore the risks (probably because they don´t know the danger)...
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ATB, Peter.
Glenswinton airfield data sheet
Happy Wanderer mentioned -
Tignes has an interesting looking Altiport. Sometimes referred to as Altiport du Palet it seems since it it located near the Col du Palet.
I have seen light aircraft landing on the glacier elsewhere in the resort at least once.
https://goo.gl/maps/JwmGjN3qz1s
This google satellite image has an aircraft that appears to be taking off from it in the summer. The runway is very short and very steep. You could use google earth to get a profile.
Tignes takeoff -
Courchevel of course is likely to be more developed regarding resources but all that tarmac looks quite boring in comparison
There is a GA airport at Aosta in Italy that is very close to the mountains. Quite a lot of gliders based there.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aosta_Valley_Airport
Corso di volo in Alta Montagna - AeroClub Valle d'Aosta
No mention of English, all the locals are bilingual Italian/French.
I was skiing in Alpe d'Huez a couple of years back and visited the altiport in the resort.
I have seen light aircraft landing on the glacier elsewhere in the resort at least once.
https://goo.gl/maps/JwmGjN3qz1s
This google satellite image has an aircraft that appears to be taking off from it in the summer. The runway is very short and very steep. You could use google earth to get a profile.
Tignes takeoff -
Courchevel of course is likely to be more developed regarding resources but all that tarmac looks quite boring in comparison
There is a GA airport at Aosta in Italy that is very close to the mountains. Quite a lot of gliders based there.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aosta_Valley_Airport
Corso di volo in Alta Montagna - AeroClub Valle d'Aosta
No mention of English, all the locals are bilingual Italian/French.
Last edited by jimjim1; 19th Jan 2018 at 09:04.
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Hi Jim,
Only just seen this. I was actually in Tignes last year and saw the altiport there a good few times. In fact it was probably Tignes that reignited my interest in doing a MR! Lots of thinking to do...!
Best,
HW
Only just seen this. I was actually in Tignes last year and saw the altiport there a good few times. In fact it was probably Tignes that reignited my interest in doing a MR! Lots of thinking to do...!
Best,
HW
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I’ve just finished my MR at Megève - huge entertainment and very illuminating. For simple flying in the mountains good sense is great, but if you want to land somewhere like Val Thorens then, in my humble opinion, doing it without instruction will make for an interesting AAIB report. Until you are in the mountains you can’t really envisage that there simply is no go around. Once you are on finals, that’s it. You land come what may.. I would thoroughly recommend Megève - I booked ahead of time, which for the summer is essential - like three months ahead. They are super busy from open to close. Having said that Bruno still managed to squeeze me in last minute for a few extra flights which was extremely good of him. These guys know their mountain flying and its a pleasure to learn in that environment. I’ll be going back to do it on Skis in April...
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I’ve just finished my MR at Megève - huge entertainment and very illuminating. For simple flying in the mountains good sense is great, but if you want to land somewhere like Val Thorens then, in my humble opinion, doing it without instruction will make for an interesting AAIB report. Until you are in the mountains you can’t really envisage that there simply is no go around. Once you are on finals, that’s it. You land come what may.. I would thoroughly recommend Megève - I booked ahead of time, which for the summer is essential - like three months ahead. They are super busy from open to close. Having said that Bruno still managed to squeeze me in last minute for a few extra flights which was extremely good of him. These guys know their mountain flying and its a pleasure to learn in that environment. I’ll be going back to do it on Skis in April...
HW
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Costs
Hi
i did around 13 hours before the test so 15 odd in total. The flying element has been around 3500 euros all in. It can be done in a week if the weather stays good. If you are booking in then always fly in the mornings as storms can build later in the afternoon. It’s a lovely way to spend a week. Everything stops for lunch at 1 for an hour so be aware of that. Although one day we took a picknique to a super remote strip and that was fabulous. I haven’t had a chance to fly at home yet, and although I love STOL stuff and hitting a definite spot already I recon this will have sharpened me up a lot. I’d definitely recommend doing it and definitely recommend Bruno and Megève. They were great. J
i did around 13 hours before the test so 15 odd in total. The flying element has been around 3500 euros all in. It can be done in a week if the weather stays good. If you are booking in then always fly in the mornings as storms can build later in the afternoon. It’s a lovely way to spend a week. Everything stops for lunch at 1 for an hour so be aware of that. Although one day we took a picknique to a super remote strip and that was fabulous. I haven’t had a chance to fly at home yet, and although I love STOL stuff and hitting a definite spot already I recon this will have sharpened me up a lot. I’d definitely recommend doing it and definitely recommend Bruno and Megève. They were great. J
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Hi
i did around 13 hours before the test so 15 odd in total. The flying element has been around 3500 euros all in. It can be done in a week if the weather stays good. If you are booking in then always fly in the mornings as storms can build later in the afternoon. It’s a lovely way to spend a week. Everything stops for lunch at 1 for an hour so be aware of that. Although one day we took a picknique to a super remote strip and that was fabulous. I haven’t had a chance to fly at home yet, and although I love STOL stuff and hitting a definite spot already I recon this will have sharpened me up a lot. I’d definitely recommend doing it and definitely recommend Bruno and Megève. They were great. J
i did around 13 hours before the test so 15 odd in total. The flying element has been around 3500 euros all in. It can be done in a week if the weather stays good. If you are booking in then always fly in the mornings as storms can build later in the afternoon. It’s a lovely way to spend a week. Everything stops for lunch at 1 for an hour so be aware of that. Although one day we took a picknique to a super remote strip and that was fabulous. I haven’t had a chance to fly at home yet, and although I love STOL stuff and hitting a definite spot already I recon this will have sharpened me up a lot. I’d definitely recommend doing it and definitely recommend Bruno and Megève. They were great. J
Unless it is a requirement by a specific airfield to hold a mountain rating, I would bother doing an EASA Mountain Rating. Having said that many experienced civil and military pilots have come a cropper in mountainous and remote areas.
My advice would be:
(a) Study meteorology at an advanced level (ATPL) with respect to updrafts, downdrafts, turbulence, icing, mountain fog, etc..
(b) know your aircraft's performance.
(c) Understand the perception issues on snow covered landscapes and the problem of 'white out'.
(d) When in valleys always have an escape route.
(e) Consider the survival and rescue issues in remote areas.
(f) Get some dual flying experience in mountain flying with an experienced instructor in the French Alps, Canada or the USA.
Some of the above will not be on the MR course. I should add that 'white out' is not flying in a snow storm as some pilots think, follow the link below:
https://www.faasafety.gov/gslac/ALC/...l.aspx?id=6844
My advice would be:
(a) Study meteorology at an advanced level (ATPL) with respect to updrafts, downdrafts, turbulence, icing, mountain fog, etc..
(b) know your aircraft's performance.
(c) Understand the perception issues on snow covered landscapes and the problem of 'white out'.
(d) When in valleys always have an escape route.
(e) Consider the survival and rescue issues in remote areas.
(f) Get some dual flying experience in mountain flying with an experienced instructor in the French Alps, Canada or the USA.
Some of the above will not be on the MR course. I should add that 'white out' is not flying in a snow storm as some pilots think, follow the link below:
https://www.faasafety.gov/gslac/ALC/...l.aspx?id=6844
Would just like to add my 2 p's worth.
When flying in a valley, always fly one side of the valley or the other. Normally on the windwood side, not the leeward. You want to be in up going air and if you need to turn 180 you will be turning into wind of course. Never fly up the middle, for escape route reasons. All down drafts end at ground level. �� To be serious though, if you get caught in a rotor going down, as a last resort, move in real close to the upwind side of the valley and you will pick up updraft and less turbulence. You need to be experienced and or brave
When crossing a ridge set yourself up to cross at about a 45 deg angle max to the ridge. Helps if you need to escape if needed. Always have a good idea and keep in mind where the wind is coming from. A good source of lift can be derived from "riding" a ridge.if you get in the lift make sure you stay in it. I'm sure a glider pilot will explain.
The utilization of standing waves is a good and exhilarating source of lift.
Last edited by Dan_Brown; 29th Aug 2018 at 18:05.
