[Iceman]

Samedan below mountain tops in IMC is definitely not 'healthy' .

Iceman

[Flintstone]

I've seen a PC12 after it had hit the end with no snow - there were three ATPLs on board.

Where were they sitting?

I was on a flight a few months ago where, to my knowledge, there were at least 30 ATPLs on board. If you count the licences and not the people there were nearer 50.

[Flintstone]

Samedan below mountain tops in IMC is definitely not 'healthy' .

Iceman

Zakkly. So we didn't.

Places like Samedan and watching how quickly the weather changes made me realise just what a specialist job mountain flying is. Certainly not something in which to just dabble occasionally.

[G-BLEW]

It'd be a hoot on private ops but the pressure of being commercial would be a pain

They decided not to make this a regular service

[GolfHotel]

Happy days at Courchevel

(I'm the good looking little one)

[Flyin'Dutch']

I cannot think of his name now but IIRC the tall one was the resident instructor?

Flying in the alps is very interesting, rewarding, challenging and unforgiving.

Used to go regularly, n'est ce pas, Ian?

[MichaelP]

‘Went up with a friend in his Malibu Jetprop to calibrate the angle of attack indicator on the Aspen display.

This made his landings on the 500 metre grass strip, and the hot and high 900 metre runway a lot shorter.

[G-BLEW]

I cannot think of his name now but IIRC the tall one was the resident instructor?

Flying in the alps is very interesting, rewarding, challenging and unforgiving.

Used to go regularly, n'est ce pas, Ian?

Yes, had a lot of fun flying around the Alps a while ago…

The chap who used to run the school at Courchevel was called Robert Christin I think, sadly he died in an accident a while ago.

Ian

[will c]

I cannot think of his name now but IIRC the tall one was the resident instructor?

Flying in the alps is very interesting, rewarding, challenging and unforgiving.

Used to go regularly, n'est ce pas, Ian?

Yes, had a lot of fun flying around the Alps a while ago…

The chap who used to run the school at Courchevel was called Robert Christin I think, sadly he died in an accident a while ago.

Ian

Yes the picture is of Robert. The accident was in 2007 and was discussed here

[James33]

Few facts:

Aircraft based in Orléans

Professional pilot at the controls.

Not the pilot's first landing at Courchevel.

Definitely not a Wingly flight.

[A le Ron]

Is a mountain rating needed for flying into barcelonnette?

[G-BLEW]

Is a mountain rating needed for flying into barcelonnette?

No, but last time I landed there it was a tad turbulent!

Ian

[Dave W]

Last time I landed* there it was a tad Puma.

Oh, sorry - different Turbulent; we're not referring to types.


*Talking ballast. Interesting place. Operating out of Gap - we'd actually looked at Courcheval as a potential test site, but logistically it wouldn't have worked.

[Iceman]

What training is involved in getting the full mountain rating ? Having got one, I understand that there are no currency requirements for the rating and no currency requirements for the altiports.

Iceman

[low&slow]

FCL.815 Mountain rating
(a) Privileges. The privileges of the holder of a mountain rating are to conduct flights with aeroplanes or TMG to and from surfaces designated as requiring such a rating by the appropriate authorities designated by the Member States.

The initial mountain rating may be obtained either on:

(1) wheels, to grant the privilege to fly to and from such surfaces when they are not covered by snow; or
(2) skis, to grant the privilege to fly to and from such surfaces when they are covered by snow.
(3) The privileges of the initial rating may be extended to either wheel or ski privileges when the pilot has undertaken an appropriate additional familiarisation course, including theoretical knowledge instruction and flight training, with a mountain flight instructor.

(b) Training course. Applicants for a mountain rating shall have completed, within a period of 24 months, a course of theoretical knowledge instruction and flight training at a DTO or at an ATO. The content of the course shall be appropriate to the privileges of the mountain rating applied for.

(c) Skill test. After the completion of the training, the applicant shall pass a skill test with an FE qualified for this purpose. The skill test shall contain:

(1) a verbal examination of theoretical knowledge;
(2) 6 landings on at least 2 different surfaces designated as requiring a mountain rating other than the surface of departure.

(d) Validity. A mountain rating shall be valid for a period of 24 months.

(e) Revalidation. For revalidation of a mountain rating, the applicant shall:

(1) have completed at least 6 mountain landings in the past 24 months; or
(2) pass a proficiency check. The proficiency check shall comply with the requirements in (c).

(f) Renewal. If the rating has lapsed, the applicant shall comply with the requirement in (e)(2).