Mountain flying tips

[sirlandsalot]

Not to say flight planning is not important, but I find usually when I leave a sunny valley and head into the mountsins the weather completly changes, there is not much info out there for “in” the mountians.  

 

A personal rule that has served me well, If I can’t stick a landing in 3 tries I go home...religiously 3 tries and go home.

 

T-REX......I remember going in so hard holding 40kts I almost crawled into the back seat!    dip a toe!  Pffff,   I lived to tell about it!!!!

[Actuality]

Thanks everyone. Ive dealt with professional passengers before, they can sure be a pain. 

Keep the info coming  it’s all very helpful.

 

[Bee3]

On 2/18/2019 at 8:11 AM, WCO said:

I'm not going to try and write a manual here your course will be where you get all that, and I wouldn't be the most qualified to do it anyhow. I'll offer one point that's been rung home for me numerous times in the mountains, though it's logistical not technical; sufficient fuel and a bit more. 

Don't be tempted to go too light on fuel to save a little performance, staying within the bounds of your machine's performance of course. I'd rather have the extra 10-25% fuel and work harder for the approach and departure. In a training environment with known spots it's easy to work just the right amount of fuel, in operational flying there's always headwinds, an unplanned stop, choked out passes and valleys, or any other number of fuel sapping diversions.

In the mountains you need to take your time and fuel is time. 

I agree. Looking at the fuel gauge leads to rushed, poor decisions. 

[ChairmanoftheBORED]

If the Performance Section of the FM says you're too heavy for where you're going. You probably are. Saves a lot of teeth grinding and puts you ahead of the curve so you don't need to use your superior pilot mojo...

[Crusty]

Never assume that the next approach and landing will be identical to the last one to the same LZ. 

[Dynamic]

Be prepared to adapt..or in some cases completely ignore some of the fundamentals...especially "always turn out, away from the mountain". The mountain course will teach you some great standard practices, but you will constantly need to apply and adapt them. This becomes relevant above the treeline, in marginal weather. Never lose reference. Cling to that #### like your life depends on it. it does. Common sense prevails. If something doesn't feel right, it likely isn't.  Always leaving yourself an "out" is in my humble, probably the best thing to take away from a BCFS mountain course. 

[WCO]

On 2/16/2019 at 3:05 PM, Actuality said:

I’m just starting a certified mountain course and I’m realizing it’s a whole new ball game up there. 

For all you experienced mountain flyers out there, what are some tips you would pass along to new folks like myself? 

Every bit of info helps. 

OP, year on touching base how did the course go? And anything stand out or hit home?