| TWVA JFK HUB FEATURE FLIGHT |
| Last month we concentrated on instrument approaches around our local NYC area. This month, we're all going to the mountains for some high altitude, tricky training at Colorado's Aspen-Pitkin County Airport (KASE). This is a very challenging and difficult airport to fly in to. Getting out of it is not too hard, but there are plenty of obstacles to worry about ... mainly mountains with heights up to 14500 ft. Also, the field elevation is at 7800ft. Climb performance is going to be significantly affected. Afterwards, when you feel like relaxing from a few hair raising approaches, try out the skiing. I hear its great out there. Marci Dunn, JFK Hub Mgr. |
| FEATURE FLIGHT OBJECTIVE: MAKE A TOTAL OF 5 LANDINGS AND TAKEOFFS FROM ASPEN-PITKIN COUNTY AIRPORT AT ASPEN, COLORADO (KASE). You may start at any airport you wish, but you must finish at KASE. |
| EQUIPMENT: Use any of the Express aircraft or Regional Jets (Jetstream 31, 41, ATR-42, 72, or ERJ or CRJ. |
| SUGGESTED TRAINING METHODOLOGY: I have provided a complete set of Instrument Charts and the airport diagram below. I would recommend starting the training by taking off from the airport first and flying around the area to get a feel for the terrain. However, if you wish, fly in from any airport you want and make your landing first. You can only land on runway 15 and takeoff from rwy 33. Mountainous terrain prevents being able to takeoff from 15 or landing rwy 33 as you should find out when you get there. You might perhaps be able to do it in a Cessna 172 or something, but any of our planes here at TWVA would have significant difficulty. When landing, you will be making descent rates at angles significantly greater than the normal 3 degrees. Make sure you have most of your power pulled and flaps down on the approach, or you will build way too much speed and overshoot the runway and possibly run into the hills on the opposite end. However, be careful not to stall out in the thin air either. Notes about KASE: In the real world, the airport is in such a treacherous location the FAA forbids night takeoff and landings when the tower is closed. Also, cloud ceilings must be a minimum of 12000ft msl with a visibility of 5 miles. Finish all this off with the fact that no pilot may fly in or out of this airport their first time solo. |
| TIME PAID: REPORT TRUE HOURS FLOWN AND AND GIVE A COMPLETE FLIGHT DESCRIPTION IN COMMENTS. IF YOU CRASH, BE HONEST AND TRY AGAIN. THIS IS A DIFFICULT AIRPORT. BONUSES: 200% OF HOURS FLOWN PAID AS A TRAINING INCENTIVE. 300% OF HOURS IF FLOWN IN AN ONLINE SIMULATION ENVIRONMENT (VATSIM, ETC) AN EXTRA 100% BONUS IF A SCREENSHOT IS SUBMITTED. |
| January 2003 |
| See the airport at: WWW.ASPENAIRPORT.COM |