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Looking4Lower · September 16th, 2004, 00:05

[ QUOTE ]
I would fly right down to Boise from SEA and then ... you hardly even know there are mountains out there...

[/ QUOTE ]

Well, except for the mountains underneath you and 14,000+ foot Mt Rainier off your right wingtip.

I don't know much about the rest of the route offhand but I have done some flying in the mountains of the Pacific Northwest and I used to do lots of volunteer Search and Rescue work out there in Washington State. Here's just a few thoughts that come to mind offhand about flying a small plane over mountainous terrain, although not a complete list:

Make sure the weather is favorable for the flight, especially over the mountainous portions (evaluate the winds and the overall weather system in the area, as the mountains make their own interesting weather patterns). Early in the morning is a good time to depart and traverse terrain before buildups and other exciting things start to happen over the mountains as the day heats up. File a VFR flight plan at the very least; unless you're doing some lower-level sightseeing, suggest you go IFR or get VFR flight following with altitude to spare. Pack some survival gear and have some idea about how to use it. Don't push your fuel reserves when you plan your legs. Review performance and density altitude procedures, and fly accordingly (conservatively).

Also, one idea I like is to plan your legs so that you are flying near (i.e. think gliding distance) a road or other points of civlization along your route. If you go in, I believe it's better to be near a relatively populated corridor of activity instead of ending up in an extremely remote or treacherous area of terrain.

September 16th, 2004, 00:05	#5
Looking4Lower Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: On your TCAS Posts: 539	Re: Western Flying [ QUOTE ] I would fly right down to Boise from SEA and then ... you hardly even know there are mountains out there... [/ QUOTE ] Well, except for the mountains underneath you and 14,000+ foot Mt Rainier off your right wingtip. I don't know much about the rest of the route offhand but I have done some flying in the mountains of the Pacific Northwest and I used to do lots of volunteer Search and Rescue work out there in Washington State. Here's just a few thoughts that come to mind offhand about flying a small plane over mountainous terrain, although not a complete list: Make sure the weather is favorable for the flight, especially over the mountainous portions (evaluate the winds and the overall weather system in the area, as the mountains make their own interesting weather patterns). Early in the morning is a good time to depart and traverse terrain before buildups and other exciting things start to happen over the mountains as the day heats up. File a VFR flight plan at the very least; unless you're doing some lower-level sightseeing, suggest you go IFR or get VFR flight following with altitude to spare. Pack some survival gear and have some idea about how to use it. Don't push your fuel reserves when you plan your legs. Review performance and density altitude procedures, and fly accordingly (conservatively). Also, one idea I like is to plan your legs so that you are flying near (i.e. think gliding distance) a road or other points of civlization along your route. If you go in, I believe it's better to be near a relatively populated corridor of activity instead of ending up in an extremely remote or treacherous area of terrain.