Mountain Flying
Mountain Flying
1
Introduction
Agenda • Introduction • • • •
• • • • • •
What is mountain flying Challenges of MF Best ways to learn about MF You don’t have to be in the Rockies to find MF conditions...
Mountain weather Terrain flying The Minimum Radius Turn Navigation Mountain survival (what if the worst happens) “Tips”, summary and conclusion
What is Different About Mountain Flying? • The air is less dense • This less dense air is moving, creating updrafts and downdrafts • The airplane is almost always in close proximity to terrain • Terrain creates airflow that may vary from steady-state wind aloft • This requires an ability to visualize how terrain will affect airflow
• Density altitude adversely affects aircraft performance • Terrain can create localized weather that can vary greatly over short distances
Mountain Flying Safety Rule #1
RULE #1 Sparky Imeson, Mountain Flying Bible
“Never manoeuver the airplane into a position where it has the opportunity to crash.�
Basic Premise N° 1
Always remain in a position where you can turn to lowering terrain
Lower terrain will almost always be your escape route when things go wrong
Do not fly beyond the point of no return
Basic Premise N° 2
Point of no return:
In mountain flying, this is the point where, if you reduce power to idle, you can still lower the nose to normal glide and perform a 180° turn without impacting the ground.
Introduction Video
You don’t have to go west to find mountain conditions
Mountain Weather How Terrain and Altitude Affect Weather
Density Altitude “Pressure altitude corrected for temperature” • Increasing temperature makes the air less dense • Warm days, an airplane will perform as if it is at a higher altitude • Example, Banff (CYBA): • Elevation 4,583 feet • Altimeter setting 29.42 • OAT 20°C
• Pressure altitude is 5,050 ft • Density altitude is 6,772 ft
Density Altitude Video
Cessna Takeoff at Banff • Altitude 5050’ • Gross weight
Winds Aloft
Weather Video
LENTICULAR
Mountain Wave
CAP
ROTOR
Fig. 2-25 - Characteristic clouds formed by lee waves
Standing Lenticular Clouds
Effects of Topography on Weather
Valley Wind Shear
Winds Through Passes
• A pass is like the throat of a carburetor • As wind enters the pass, its path is restricted • Pressure builds and intensity is increased • Wind speed accelerates • Turbulence increases
Converging Winds Through Valleys
Diverging Winds Through Valleys
Orographic Lifting • Moving air forced upward by slopes cools, condenses and forms cloud over peak • In cool stable air, clouds may stay close to peak and continue horizontally • Warm unstable air may continue to lift, start convection, and trigger thunderstorms
Anabatic Wind • Terrain heated by sun causes air nearby to heat, thus rising up the slope • Results in updrafts close to the surface
Katabatic Winds • Cool terrain lowers temperature of adjacent air, causing it to subside • Associated with night time cooling or shaded slopes • Results in downdrafts as air runs downslope • Cool air may be pool in the region below
Glacier Winds • Special hazard when flying near glaciers • Extreme katabatic effect triggered by cool air close to ice sheet • Shallow layer of wind that can reach 80Kts • Worst in late afternoon hours
Valley Fog
“MTS OBSCN”
(Mountain Obscuration)
Hazards in Mountain Obscuration
Hazards in Mountain Obscuration Highest likelihood of icing
Mountain Flying Techniques
Rule of Thumb #1
Do not plan a cross-country flight in the mountains when winds at mountain top level exceed 30 knots
Approaching Ridges
Approach ridges at a 45 degree angle
Determine Adequate Crossing Altitude Several methods to determine adequate altitude: 1. Fly 2,000 ft above the known elevation of the ridge • Improves visibility of terrain • Safety margin in the event of downdrafts
2. If you see increasing amounts of terrain beyond ridge, you are high enough to continue 3. Determine 2 spots on the ridge you are approaching, one nearer and one further along. • If distance appears to increase, you are probably high enough
Determine Adequate Crossing Altitude When approaching a ridge: • Arriving at a position where you can (theoretically) pull the power and still glide to ridge height or above, then you can commit to crossing the ridge
Fly the Terrain • This involves using terrain to ensure lift • Sunny side of a valley will likely produce thermal lift • Downwind side of valley may provide orographic (mechanical) lift • Shaded valley walls may produce downdrafts
Sunny of valley Sunnyside Side of Valley
Anabatic Lift
Downdrafts
Downwind side of valley Downwind Side of Valley Wind direction
Orographic Lift
Downdrafts
Valley Wind Shear
Wind flows through valley
Wind direction aloft
Downdrafts
• Most valleys have a downdraft side and an updraft side • Usually related to wind direction or heating
• Occasionally this is not the case and you will find yourself in unexpected downdraft • Always plan on maintaining a position where you can turn toward lower terrain if needed • Try moving to the other side of the valley • Add power • Maintain flying speed
Valley Hazards
Valley Hazards
The Dreaded Canyon
POP QUIZ: What Technique is Best for the Minimum Radius Turn Around? X X X X ✓
Hammerhead turn? Wingover? Chandelle? Steep Turn? Slow Flight?
Minimum Radius Turn Around The time to begin a minimum radius turn around is the first moment you think it is necessary! (‌and it will be made easier because you are in the habit of flying closer to one side of valleys/canyons. Right?)
Canyon Turn Around Basics
• Keep calm • Slow down • Turn 180°
4. Roll into a 45° bank towards the middle of the canyon and apply full engine power. It’s ok to glance at the attitude indicator during the turn because the natural horizon may be blocked and out of view)
AOPA minimum radius Turn – Detail
1. Decide on a turn around and prepare for it before the situation becomes critical 2. Fly as close as practical to the downwind side of the canyon
5. Apply firm back pressure and expect to hear the stall warning horn. If you feel the onset of aerodynamic buffet, you are pulling too hard. Relax pressure. 3. 6. Let the airplane’s nose drop below the horizon if necessary to avoid stalling. At this point you are turning towards lower terrain.
7. Roll out when terrain avoidance has been assured. Begin a climb, and raise flaps.
Slow to flap extension speed (by pitching up rather than by reducing power) and deploy “lift flaps” (which is typically about 10-20 degrees, or about 1/3 to ½ full flaps value)
Minimum Radius Turn Considerations • Practice this before flying in the mountains • Minimum radius turn can lead to accelerated stall if done incorrectly • Radius of a turn varies as the square of the true airspeed • Steep turns increase wing loading and stall speed, so excess slowing is to be avoided • Practice • Practice • Practice (With an instructor…)
180 Degree Turn Video
Mountain Cross Country Planning
Planning Starts with ALL information pertinent to the flight • • • •
Weather Current Charts NOTAMs Local knowledge
Mountain Planning Considerations • • • • •
Establish personal minimums Suitable equipment Route planning Weather planning Emergency planning
Personal Minimums Personal safety standards • Weather minimums • Ceilings • Visibility
• Fuel minimums • Equipment minimums
Suitable Equipment • • • •
The aircraft Weather-appropriate clothing Survival kit Emergency locators 602.61 (1) Subject to subsection (2), no person shall operate an aircraft over land unless there is carried on board survival equipment, sufficient for the survival on the ground of each person on board, given the geographical area, the season of the year and anticipated seasonal climatic variations, that provides the means for (a) starting a fire; (b) providing shelter; (c) providing or purifying water; and (d) visually signalling distress.
Route Planning
Weigh the Risk vs the Reward • Does saving 15 minutes warrant taking a flight path less travelled? • If you fail to plan, you ARE planning to fail!
VFR Routes Power Lines
Riv ers
s ad Ro
Rails
VFR Rou tes
ts Airpor
Valley Route Considerations For advantage of Lifting Air: • Fly downwind or windward side of valley • Fly sunlit vs shadowed side
Valley Route Considerations For traffic avoidance • Fly right side where possible • Do not fly in middle • Position reports on 126.7
Valley Route Considerations For Visibility • Avoid shadow side which can hide features, traffic, obstructions • Choose higher altitude • Proper eyewear
Route Planning Video
Emergency Survival Planning Alert Survive
S-T-O-P
SIT
S-T-O-P! SIT - Catch your breath - Calm down - Take stock
THINK S- -O-P!
T
THINK - What is around you that can help? - Where have you landed? - What alerting systems can you start with?
OBSERVE
O-P!
S-T-
OBSERVE - What is your expected rescue time
PLAN
P
S-T-O- ! PLAN - What is it going to take to survive?
ALERT Minimizing the time needed to survive, greatly depends on alerting others to your situation!
Plan to Alert Plan to Alert! - Flight Plan - Flight Following - Flight Notification
IFR Flight Plan IFR Flight Plan Not only does ATC know everything about your flight… They are communicating with you every step of the way.
VFR Flight Plan VFR Flight Plan! Not necessarily in constant contact. If you’re overdue by one hour, SAR process initiated.
Give Periodic Position Reports! • STICK TO YOUR FLIGHT PLAN. • Update if there are any changes.
Close Your Flight Plan
Remember To Close Your Flight Plan Immediately After Your Flight!
Alerting Systems What alerting system are you carrying on board?
ELT Requirement
AN ELT IS LEGALLY REQUIRED FOR YOUR AIRCRAFT!
121.5 is old tech! No longer monitored
High Flyers Will Report 121.5 Signals To ATS!
Satellites listen for ELTs broadcasting at 406 MHz!
406 ELT 406 ELT After two satellite captures, your location will be pinpointed!
ELT Switch A panel mounted switch will allow you to activate your ELT immediately!
Other alerting options in addition to ELT Other alerting options in addition to your ELT!
PLBs
PLBs
PERSONAL LOCATOR BEACONS
Personal Locator Beacons – or PLBs – have several features: - Economical - Portable - Carry on your person
Registration
Indicate it’s on board an aircraft and update info annually!
Easier to perform a forced landing during daylight hours!
Better visual reference point. Better prepared to survive!
Survive - Starts Before Takeoff With Your Passenger Briefing.
Pre-Flight Pax Briefing: • The ELT • How to use the radio • Fire extinguisher • First aid kit • Survival kit
Consider Making a Seatback Reference Card‌
Dress Appropriately for the Weather You Are Flying In!
SAR POINTS to REMEMBER
Make Yourself Easy To Find!
Prepare based on Terrain & Environment
PREPARE BASED ON
Terrain & Environment
Stay with the Aircraft!
WATER • Bring It • Understand How To Collect It
Attitude • Keep positive! • Survival is the end goal
Put Together Survival & First Aid Kits
Download Survival Information
Take Basic First Aid and Survival Courses
Mountain Flying Summary
Prepare
• • • •
Weather conditions Terrain Pre-flight the airplane Pre-flight the pilot • IMSAFE • Personal limits
• Select safe route • File a flight plan
Set your Personal Minimums • Set your own visibility limits well above the regulated minimums • Always be prepared to turn back when it becomes less.
Ups & Downs
• Know your airplane • You can often land successfully at places where you won’t be able to take-off • Never launch without being fully aware of density altitude, aircraft performance capability • Lean for best performance to take-off at high altitude airports • Be prepared to wait out sub-optimal conditions before departing
Lessons learned video
Challenges
• • • • •
Changeable Weather Effects of Lighting Common Visual Illusions Hidden Obstacles False Horizons
Effects of Terrain
• Turbulence is a good signpost for nearby up or downdrafts • Air descending over downwind slopes can exceed an aircraft’s climb capability • Daytime heating of a valley slope can generate a downdraft on the shaded side • Constantly monitor your altimeter • Stay away from the violent turbulence of mountain waves and rotor zones – know the warning cloud types
Beware the Valley Trap
• Study your charts ahead of time • Get to a safe traversing altitude before entering a valley • Keep at a safe height and avoid flying close to terrain • As the valley narrows or climbs, turn around before your airspeed starts falling
Summary : Mountain Flying Tips
If you enjoyed this presentation… SmartPilot Seminars offer a number of presentations that may interest you on a variety of topics including:
• Search & Rescue Awareness • How to Alert and Survive
• Ups & Downs
• Take-off and landing safety
• Pilot Decision Making
• PDM is a process that all pilots use before and throughout all of their flights
• Winter Flying
• Facing the challenges that Winter flying brings
• Ultralights
• Stepping from conventional aircraft to an Ultralight is not ultra easy