# Presentation: 641185

## Search Pilot
Qualification Course

Civil Air Patrol
Auxiliary of the United States Air Force

- Qualification Course
- Civil Air Patrol
- Auxiliary of the United States Air Force

## BLOCK THREE

- Mountain Flying

## Flying in Mountain Winds

- Determine direction and velocity of steady winds
- Observe dust, smoke, tree leaves, or aircraft drift
- At 100 knots ground speed, 6° crab = 10 knot crosswind
- Smoother and easier flying along windward slopes
- Use caution along leeward slopes until tested
- Downdrafts, turbulence, especially below passes
- Always be in a position to turn toward lower terrain
- Constantly monitor airspeed and vertical velocity
- Slow to maneuvering speed in turbulence

## Slide 4

## Slide 5

## Exiting Downdrafts

- In a strong or sustained downdraft:
- Turn towards lower terrain
- Apply maximum power (throttle + propeller pitch)
- Attain and maintain best rate of climb airspeed
- Attempt to fly out of downdraft area (downwind usually best)
- If descending faster then your calculated rate of climb:
- Increase airspeed to rapidly fly out of downdraft area
- Use cruise speed or, if in turbulence, use maneuvering speed
- Accept temporary increase in rate of descent

## Slide 7

## Crossing Ridges

- Approaching ridge from windward side:
- Fly directly toward ridge
- If caught in downdraft while crossing ridge, this course will be most direct path away from ridgeline
- Approaching ridge from leeward side
- Achieve desired altitude well before reaching ridge
- Approach at 45° angle to allow shortest turn away if caught in downdraft
- Determining relative height
- If you see more terrain on other side of ridge as you approach, your altitude is greater than that of ridgeline

## Slide 9

## Canyon Flying

- Never fly up a canyon if there is insufficient lateral width to comfortably turn around
- Never fly beyond the “point of no return”
- Always remain in a position to allow a turn toward lowering terrain
- Fly along one side of the canyon (usually the upwind side) to provide the full canyon width to turn around
- Always know your location; side canyons can look like your desired route but can lead to disaster

## Slide 11

## Course Reversal Maneuver

- May be required in rapidly-rising terrain or rapidly-narrowing canyon
- Pull up to gain altitude and achieve best cornering velocity
- Deploy 10-20° flaps to increase lift
- Rapidly achieve 60° bank and pull to achieve tightest turn radius while maintaining adequate stall margin
- If vertical terrain clearance permits, accept altitude loss during turn to maintain “g” loading and safe airspeed

## Slide 13

## Sensory Illusions

- False horizon
- Perhaps the greatest cause of mountain mishaps
- Experienced when flying toward gradually-rising terrain
- Actual horizon is well below perceived horizon
- Airspeed decays during unperceived slow climb
- High terrain hidden in shadow
- Lighting from behind distant high terrain hides closer hill
- Indicated versus true airspeed
- Perceived airspeed margin due to high groundspeed

## Night Flying

- High terrain can “sneak up” on you at night
- Maintain positional awareness at all times
- Terrain clearance must be constantly monitored
- Optical information is often insufficient
- Utilize charts, radar services, local knowledge
- Decreasing lights ahead indicates higher ridgeline
- Isolated lights can produce vertigo
- Follow lighted roads
- Usually runs through lowest terrain (beware of tunnels!)
- Useful in the event of power loss

## Slide 16

## Night Flying

- Follow a road or lighted area when flying over rugged terrain during the night

## Mountain Airport Operations

- Often confined spaces and sloped runways
- Plan your pattern to accommodate local conditions
- Traffic patterns usually on side away from terrain
- Thoroughly research local procedures
- Runway surface may be questionable
- Expect unpredictable air currents at low altitudes
- Beware of downdrafts immediately after liftoff
- Conduct circling climb above airport before heading directly toward high terrain

## Mountaintop Airport

- Airport on top of a hill
- Land upslope to the north
- A portion of the runway fell down the cliff resulting in a displaced threshold

## Mountain Strip

- Airport built on the side of a mountain
- Shear drop offs at both ends
- Avoid strips like this on windy days

## Uphill vs. Downhill Takeoff

- Use this formula when deciding whether to takeoff downhill with a tailwind or uphill with a headwind.
- Elect an uphill takeoff if the actual headwind component is greater than the calculated “breakeven headwind.”
- Breakeven headwind =
- _Runway slope x no-wind TO distance_
- 5 x Liftoff speed in KTAS

## Mountain Flying Safety

- Always exercise good judgement and caution
- Always maintain positional awareness
- Know your aircraft performance capabilities
- Do not exceed your aircraft performance capabilities
- Watch for power lines and their support structures
- Determine the best emergency notification frequency
- May not be 121.5
- Consider remote antenna locations, ARTCC frequencies
- Always have a downward path toward lower terrain
- And _always_ WATCH YOUR AIRSPEED!