Short Field OperationsTutorial 6 – Introduction to Mountain Flying

OverviewReady for a real challenge? In this tutorial you'll learn

how to take off from and land at very short mountain airstrips. The tutorial begins on the ground at Bernard United States Forest Service Airport (U54) in Idaho.

The Cessna 172 is parked at the end of runway 17 with the engine off. You'll start the engine, take off, and fly south down a river valley to Lower Loon Creek Airport (ID67). Follow the waypoint markers.

Along the way you'll learn about the benefits of using flaps, and how a "canyon turn" can get you out of a tight situation.

Route

Flaps UsageRecall that extending the flaps increases both lift and drag, allowing the airplane to fly at slower airspeeds without stalling.

This is very important for Short-field takeoffs and landings.

To land 0n a short-field, the pilot must have precise, positive control of the rate of descent and airspeed to produce an approach that will result in little or no floating during the landing, and permit the airplane to be stopped in the shortest possible distance.

Common errors in short-field landings

• Failure to allow enough room on final to set up the approach.

• Delay in initiating glidepath corrections.

• Too slow an airspeed on final resulting in landing hard.

• Too high an airspeed resulting in floating or landing too far down the runway.

• Prematurely reducing power to idle resulting in hard landing.

• Touchdown with excessive airspeed.

Mission ObjectivesPerform a short-field takeoff from Bernard United States Forest

Service (USFS) airport Use proper flap settings to takeoff in minimum distance

Perform a short-field landing at Lower Loom Creek Use proper flap settings, altitude, heading, airspeed control

Research Lower Loomis Creek Airport Complete Research Activity A

Integrate Social Studies to research Idaho facts Complete Research Activity B

Research Activity AUse the link below to answer the questions

about Lower Loom Creek airport:AirNav: ID67 - Lower Loon Creek Airport

Copy and answer the questions

1. What is the airport’s FAA identifier?2. What town is the airport located in or near?3. What is the airport’s elevation?4. Are there services available at the airport?

Activity A Continued5. What are the dimensions (length and width) of the longest

runway?

6. What is the runway surface constructed of?

7. Who is the airport owner?

8. What is the nearest airport with instrument procedures?

9. What is the distance and direction from Bernard (U54) to Lower Loom Creek? (Use distance calculator link)

10. If your average speed is 90 knots, how long should it take to fly from Bernard to Lower Loom Creek? (Use the distance calculated in question 9)

Activity B – Integrate Social StudiesUse the link below to learn facts about Idaho:http://www.visitidaho.org/about/facts.aspx

Copy and answer the questions

1. What is the state capital?2. According to the 2005 Census, what was the

state’s population?3. Name a major industry in Idaho.

Activity B - Continued4. What is Idaho the #1 National producer of?

5. Use the “Climate” link on the webpage to learn about Idaho’s weather:

Write a short paragraph (5 - 8 sentences) describing the regions temperature, precipitation, winter and summertime weather.

DebriefingDiscuss challenges you encountered

operating in the short-field environment.

What type of information do you think a pilot would need before flying in a mountainous region?

Besides terrain, can you think of any other hazards you may encounter in this type of remote, mountainous area?