AVP 375 - Mountain and Canyon Flying

Description:
Synthesis of fundamental concepts and practices including navigation in mountainous terrain, aircraft performance and density altitude, canyon flying and airport operations in constricted areas, mountain and canyon meteorology, emergencies, and flight safety.

Prerequisites:
Prerequisite: AVP 103 or permission of the instructor or department.

Credits: (3)

Learner Outcomes, Activities and Assessments

Learner Outcome	Activity (optional)	Assessment
Each student will demonstrate the ability to recognize and analyze, with respect to flight planning and in-flight decision making, basic mountain weather patterns and hazards, including: Mountain waves, thunderstorms, Orographic lift, Diurnal effects, upslope and downslope winds, Katabatic winds, venturi effects, and weather hazards		Students will work in teams to gather appropriate FAA weather products and services through completion of an assigned pre-flight weather briefing and will conduct a hazard assessment of a flight through mountainous terrain. Additionally they will participate in class discussions and answer homework and quiz questions related to flight planning and weather hazards.
Students will discuss various types of navigation in mountain and canyon terrain, including: Flight Planning, Pilotage and position reporting, maps and Charts, Types of VFR navigation, GPS and radio Navigation, sun angles, time of day, and hazards		Each student will complete a flight plan and navigation log for a flight through mountainous terrain, including assessment of associated weather hazards. Additionally, they will answer questions on homework and quizzes related to navigation.
Students will identify components of preparing for mountain/canyon flight including preparation of aircraft and pilot, including: Aircraft preflight items, practicing for mountain flight, Turn radius vs airspeed, flying a steep stabilized mountain approach, takeoffs, landings, and go-arounds		Students will participate in class discussions, answer questions from assigned readings, homework material, and quizzes. Additionally, each student will be required to visually analyze video presentations of aircraft operations with respect to proper and improper techniques and relate them to safety of operations.
Students will determine pertinent data relevant to density altitude and aircraft performance that will contribute to safety of flight operations, including: Determining Density Altitude (DA), effects of reduction in DA on aircraft power and thrust, Power loading and weight reduction, takeoff, landing, and climb performance, proper mixture leaning techniques, maneuvering and performance		Students will work mathematical solutions to homework and quiz problems provided with regards to density altitude and aircraft performance. Additionally, they will present a short oral briefing to the class on a subject to be assigned by the instructor relevant to density altitude and performance, and will answer questions on homework and quizzes.
Students will identify and discuss operations at airstrips and landings areas, including: Checking out the Airstrip, runway gradient effects, wind direction(s) and intensity, gradient vs wind, approach and departure planning		Students will participate in class discussions and will be required to visually analyze video presentations of aircraft operations with respect to proper and improper techniques and relate them to safety of operations. They will also answer homework and quiz questions related to operating parameters.
Students will discuss application of mountain and canyon flying techniques to hazardous terrain and flight operations including: Enroute operations, descent, approach, and landing; taxi and ground operations, takeoff and climb, and Go-arounds		Students will participate in class discussions and will be required to visually analyze video presentations of aircraft operations with respect to proper and improper techniques and relate them to safety of operations. They will also answer homework and quiz questions related to operating parameters.
Students will demonstrate knowledge of skills, procedures and preparation for emergencies and forced findings in mountainous and canyon terrain, including survival equipment and tactics.		Students will design and present to the class an example of survival kits for different climates and terrain considerations. Additionally, they will answer questions on homework and quizzes related to emergencies and survival.