Welcome to IVAO Canada

IMPORTANT - Mountain Flying Tips

Landing

• Make sure you richen your mixture somewhat before landing.
• Land with short field techniques with smooth stabilized approach/descent. Don't chop the power on short final if you would land too long. Go around and try again.
• Ground speed is faster landing at high altitude, it looks different, but keep same airspeed. This is due to larger indicated vs true airspeed difference at altitude.
• Do not land too fast. Fly the speeds in the aircraft manual. Very important at high altitude. Landing fast will cause you to float and use a lot of runway distance.
• Don't land two slow either; you do not want to stall.

Takeoff

• Lean during runup.
• Takeoff with short field techniques.
• On takeoff reach 70% of take off speed 1/2 way down the runway, if not abort. Wind, weight, temperature, pressure altitude or something is causing problems.
• Be 10% or more under gross weight. Reduced weight greatly helps your takeoff distance. Don't fill tanks all the way if at a high altitude airport.
• Your manifold pressure at takeoff will be much lower and the wings/prop develop much less lift. You can simulate the manifold pressure difference at your airport. A 29.92 day at 10,000 feet, I think would be about 19" Manifold pressure at takeoff
• Likely the temperature will be much higher than standard as well which will greatly affect things and cause a very high density altitude. Taking off from Leadville in the middle of the day in the summer is a bad idea.
• Check your takeoff distance in your manual, but realize your distance will possibly be much longer due to not being a new plane and not being a professional test pilot.

Climbout

• Climb out after take off, fly the aircraft manual airspeeds. Your pitch and climb rate will be much slower, but this is normal.
• Watch your rudder control; step on the ball during the climb. Coordinated flight will help increase your vertical climb rate and is safer.
• Don't let your speed drop too low trying to maintain a positive climb rate and stall
• Watch for clearing obstacles when climbing out. Circle if you need to.
• Lean your mixture appropriately.

Crossing Ridges

• Be careful crossing ridges. Approach at 45 degrees when close. Maybe within 1 mile. If you approach at 45 degrees, you will have only 90 degree turn to go back to lower terrain If you are further away from the ridge, you can probably afford a full 180 degree for lower terrain.
• Downdrafts can be subtle or severe in the mountains. Make sure you are at max RPM max throttle. 2600 RPM in my C182P.
• If in a severe downdraft, turn around in the direction of lower terrain.
• If in slight downdraft, try near opposite side of the valley, if one side is in down draft, sometimes other is in slight updraft. Otherwise, go further away from pass and try climbing before approaching pass.
• If having difficulties climbing, but not in a downdraft, you can step climb. Level, gain speed, then climb a bit, level, gain speed, then climb, repeat.
• Always plan an alternate to crossing your intended pass. A different pass or another day. Or possibly stop and rent a car for the last portion of the trip.
• Turbulence as you get closer to ridge is probably a sign to not cross the ridge here or today. Some is expected, but severe turbulence is definitely a warning. Likely bad downdrafts as you get closer. Flying higher can help.
• 20+ knots predicted winds aloft at 12,000 is a concern. 30+ is probably a no go. Sometimes the Mountain AWOS will be indicating 30+, but it can be ok if it is not too near you. But be careful.
• One side of the valley or ridge is usually smoother than the other due to winds. Sometimes it is dramatic.
• Usually cross 1000-2000' over the passes.
• Also watch that you can see more and more terrain on the other side as you approach a pass. This ensures you are currently higher than the pass.
• Fly the main passes and then down the valleys.
  

Other General Items

• Manifold pressure goes up as you descend. This can be strange when you are reducing power and trying to lose altitude. You set it at 15", descend 2000' and MP is now at 17" without moving the throttle. You need to keep reducing the throttle a little as you go lower in altitude to maintain 15". Make sure cowl flaps are closed as you descend.
• Always have an out. Know where lower terrain is. Plan so that you don't have to go over the pass. Stay a night somewhere and wait for a better day. Plan for a different way around even if it adds 2 hours. Always be able to turn to lower terrain. Land and rent a car for the last portion of the trip.
• Avoid IFR in the mountains
• Avoid night flying in the mountains
• Carry survival equipment in the case of emergency. Sleeping bags or lots of space blankets, first aid, etc.
• File a flight plan and get flight following if possible. Flight following is not possible in most mountainous areas though.