Mountain Flying - Training details
Mountain Flying has to be one of the most rewarding and interesting kinds of flying possible. Flying through valleys, past beautiful waterfalls, glaciers and over snowy peaks on a clear day is just spectacular. Whether just for recreation, or scenic flying commercially, mountain experience is a must for any Aviation enthusiast.
When flying in this type of terrain, the forces of nature exert a greater influence, which requires a special set of skills, knowledge and flying techniques to operate in this environment safely.
Wakatipu Aero Club specialises in Mountain Flying Training. We're not claiming to be experts in IFR... but when it comes to mountain flying, we believe our training is the best in the country. From Queenstown, every departure and arrival we make interacts with the mountains. It’s challenging, exciting, and with our years of experience flying in this area, it becomes the safest.
Entry Requirements
There are no specific entry requirements to start Mountain Training however it is advised that you:
- Hold at least a PPL
Course components
Ground:
- Weather interpretation (mountainous environment)
- Principles and considerations of Mountain Flying and Aircraft performance
Flying experience:
The length of our mountain flying course can be tailored to meet your requirements. Any amount of training will be a valuable experience, even if it is only a few hours. We offer block courses of 5hrs and 10hrs, as well as training based on a per hour rate. Please contact us to discuss your individual requirements.
The practical flying will cover these specific concepts:
- Horizon Definition
- Decision Making
- Contour Flying
- Valley turns and positioning
- Anticipation
- Saddle Crossing
- White-out
- Sun/Valley shadows
- Disorientation
- Weather Interaction
This can extend into more specialised and job specific training such as experience onto remote strips, beach operations, Milford Sound, Fiordland and Southern Alps. Commercial pilots employed by Air Wakatipu are expected to have carried out
50hrs of mountain flying training and local area familiarisation.
Terrain Awareness and Mountain Flying Syllabus
From March 2011 all pilots will require some training in Mountain Flying Techniques. We welcome and encourage all pilots to come fly with us for this experience and be signed off under the new Terrain Awareness and Mountain Flying syllabus.
We will offer pilots a 5 hour Mountain flying course towards the requirement of a Commercial Licence.
Those wishing to seek employment in the area will be required to complete our own full Mountain Flying Course to meet the required standard to operate in the Queenstown/Milford area.
Accommodation and Rental Cars in Queenstown
To make it easier for pilots training with us here in Queenstown we have arranged some discounted rates on rental cars and accommodation. When you contact us please ask for the list of hospitality partners.