Important Note: take the FIRST Step: Attend a comprehensive Mountain Flying Ground School before attempting a Mountain Cross-Country Flight!

Preflight Planning

General
  1. Make sure both you and your aircraft are mountain flight canidates.
  2. Plan for DAY-ONLY VFR Flying.
  3. Plan for ETA's NO Later than 1300 Local to mountain Destinations.

Preflight Weather Briefing

  - Cloud Height and Celings must be known for mountain top conditions 15 miles flight visibility as a minimum.
  - Winds aloft: Maximum of 30 knots at 6,000/9,000/12,000 MSL
  - Temperatures: Surface temps for density altitude calculation: temps aloft for route performance

Route Planning

  - Plan accurate routes with magnetic course and wind correction angle calculated.
  - Know elevations and plan for at least 1000 AGL.
 

Weight and Balance

  - Preflight weight and balance with takeoff weight no more than 90% of FAA max. Gross weight in the Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH)

Fuel on Board

  - Fuel on board = planned burn out plus 1 hour or more reserve.

File a VFR Flight Plan

  - Only AFTER all limitations are met. If not, cancel, select an alternate route or rent a car.
  - This is your "Insurance Policy." Keep it up to date, with position reports.

Survival Kits:

  - Have a survival kit and clothing for all occupants.

Performance Planning

Lean Mixture, as appropriate (EGT~ Fuel Flow)

  1. Set for taxi/run-up
  2. Set for take-off power
  3. Set for cruise
  4. Set for approach

Take-off Ground Roll / Rate of Climb

  - Calculated for existing temperature.
  - Expect excessiv ground roll and sub-standard Rate of Climb
  - Monitor VSI and airspeed during all climbs and descents
  - Know the ground track, for a safe departure. Check with FBO/CFI/other pilots

Enroute Procedures

Communicatetions Plan
  - Activate the VFR Flight Plan, make frequent postion reports and PIREPS.
  - Know FSS and other comm. frequencies for the entire route.

Navigation

  - Fly planned altitude
  - Maintain magnetic headings, corrected for drift, for each route segment

Mountain Technique

  1. Canyon & Drainage Routes
   - Fly the windward side, never up the middle of a canyon
   - Scan for opposite direction traffic

  2. Ridge / Pass Crossing
   - Terrain Clearance: at least 1,000 feet AGL
   - Always identify your "escape" paths as early as possible
   - Approach at 45 degrees: exit at 90 degrees

Descent and Landing Procedures

1. Know the pattern or approach track for the destination field
2. Determine a safe go-around track for the destination. Remember, a go-around may not be possible!
3. Fly a stabilized approach at apprepriate IAS
4. Plan the touchdown at 1,000 feet from the start of useable runway
5. Close your flight plan (give a final PIREP when you do!)