USA Mountain Airports discussion
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USA Mountain Airports discussion
I proposed a special thread about mountain airports in the USA after reading so much about the recent aspen crash.
Maybe just limit this discussion to the 48 contiguous states.
The FAA has a list of certain airports, maybe we can start there?
Maybe just limit this discussion to the 48 contiguous states.
The FAA has a list of certain airports, maybe we can start there?
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Mountain airports for large aircraft or all aircraft?
Lower 48 would pretty much be it as there are no high density altitude mountain airports in HI or AK. In AK, one operates in the mountains, but most airports are at sea level. Are you mainly thinking of high density altitude airports?
Lower 48 would pretty much be it as there are no high density altitude mountain airports in HI or AK. In AK, one operates in the mountains, but most airports are at sea level. Are you mainly thinking of high density altitude airports?
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This is true. For all it's mountains, Alaska doesn't have much in the way of high airports. You'd be hard pressed to find many over 2500', and the vast majority are below 1000'. I have landed around 6000' on skis, but that's a different story.
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THANKS for joining in. I would like to propose that we speak about those airports that someone augers in once in awhile. Mainly in BAD WX. Size of airport not too important, size of airplanes not important.
One of my tough ones was operating at night in Quincy, CA when there was active fires and smoke.
BUT I would like everyone to nominate an airport. TERRAIN or DENSITY ALTITUDE or lack of navaids etc.
And how to deal with the airport. I am a big fan of the old methods, canyon approaches and spirals.
BUT you guys offer some thoughts. LETS START with the LOWER 48.
One of my tough ones was operating at night in Quincy, CA when there was active fires and smoke.
BUT I would like everyone to nominate an airport. TERRAIN or DENSITY ALTITUDE or lack of navaids etc.
And how to deal with the airport. I am a big fan of the old methods, canyon approaches and spirals.
BUT you guys offer some thoughts. LETS START with the LOWER 48.
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Teluride is the coolest approach in the rockies, not as difficult as it used to be because they fixed the dip in the middle, but still located on a mesa at 9000 ft! Aspen is cool to, but their fees are ridiculous.
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One of my favorites is Wilson Bar (C48) in Idaho. One way in. No go around. 2275' elev, 1500' dirt/grass runway, at the bottom of a narrow canyon on the Salmon River. Lovely place, with sufficient solitude to soothe the wild beast in anyone exposed to more than his share of an overly urban environment. 
Nothing like a taildragger in the mountains, a campfire, a steak, a cigar and a whisky...or two. Maybe I'm not the one to discuss "dangerous" mountain airports.
My home airport is 5400' MSL, 1400' long and surrounded by mountains.
Nothing like a taildragger in the mountains, a campfire, a steak, a cigar and a whisky...or two. Maybe I'm not the one to discuss "dangerous" mountain airports.
My home airport is 5400' MSL, 1400' long and surrounded by mountains.
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A Squared
This is true. For all it's mountains, Alaska doesn't have much in the way of high airports. You'd be hard pressed to find many over 2500', and the vast majority are below 1000'. I have landed around 6000' on skis, but that's a different story.
This is true. For all it's mountains, Alaska doesn't have much in the way of high airports. You'd be hard pressed to find many over 2500', and the vast majority are below 1000'. I have landed around 6000' on skis, but that's a different story.
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Telluride
No doubt one of the best mtn airports in the US.
Spectacular terrain, Rwy09 straight into the box canyon, and the missed approach procedure includes a moment for a brief prayer.
A crosswind from the south can make for a real adventure.
Spectacular terrain, Rwy09 straight into the box canyon, and the missed approach procedure includes a moment for a brief prayer.
A crosswind from the south can make for a real adventure.
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The "old" English Bay. Sea level, essentially, but often lots of wind and "non-standard" traffic pattern.
Rohn would be another windy, mountain airport, I suppose.
Back to lower 48...
Rohn would be another windy, mountain airport, I suppose.
Back to lower 48...
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Jackson Hole is an interesting one. The field elevation is a bigger number that the runway length. It is surrounded by mountains up to 14,000 ft and it snows a lot so you do have that going for you.
Eagle, Colorado is a fun one too where you are just a few thousand feet AGL for several miles of the approach. Also surrounded by much taller mountains and gets a lot of snow.
Both great layovers though.
Eagle, Colorado is a fun one too where you are just a few thousand feet AGL for several miles of the approach. Also surrounded by much taller mountains and gets a lot of snow.
Both great layovers though.
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I was hoping that we might offer techniques for airports that we know well.
Lake Tahoe for instance has ways into the airport on instrument approaches (with five miles vis reqd...that's statute miles!!)
Or ways from over fallen leaf lake that demands you know where you are as you cannot see the airport on a fallen leaf lake downwind.
Lets see where the thread leads us.
Lake Tahoe for instance has ways into the airport on instrument approaches (with five miles vis reqd...that's statute miles!!)
Or ways from over fallen leaf lake that demands you know where you are as you cannot see the airport on a fallen leaf lake downwind.
Lets see where the thread leads us.
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The traffic pattern at Tahoe is east of the airport, landing north or south. What circumstances would you be downwind on the west side over Fallen Leaf Lake?
From a small airplane standpoint, the big issue there is takeoffs during the summer with high density altitude and downslope wind. In a little airplane, going in there VFR might be safer than shooting an approach in the WX with icing conditions prevailing.
From a small airplane standpoint, the big issue there is takeoffs during the summer with high density altitude and downslope wind. In a little airplane, going in there VFR might be safer than shooting an approach in the WX with icing conditions prevailing.
