Pacific NW Mountain Flying Clinic
As pilots, flying in the Pacific Northwest allows us to see some of the most beautiful scenery in the world due to the dynamic physical geography of this region! A “short hop” in a general aviation airplane can take us from the Pacific Ocean, across the Olympic coastal mountain range, over the Puget Sound, and into the Cascade mountain range.
On March 16th, Chief Flight Instructor Shawn Pratt will be presenting the Pacific Northwest Mountain Flying Clinic. This clinic focuses on flight planning and operational considerations when flying in and around the mountainous terrain of the Pacific Northwest. Flight in the Pacific Northwest offers pilots and passengers access to some of the most beautiful scenery in the world! This type of flying can involve increased risks that need to be planned for and mitigated. The seminar covers mountain meteorology, route planning, performance planning, precautionary and emergency landing considerations, and survival techniques.
This ground school clinic is a great introduction to mountain flying. If you are interested in more in-depth mountain flight training, please contact us.
Clinic Details
Date: Saturday, March 16th, 2024
Times/Locations:
Pierce County Airport/Thun Field Airport (Puyallup) at Safety in Motion Flight Center
Time: 9:00 - 11:30 AM
Olympia Regional Airport at Safety in Motion Flight Center
Time: 1:00 - 3:30 PM
Cost:
$50 per person, for 2-1/2 hour course
How to Register:
Call us at 253-840-5758 - Or click the button below.
Topics Covered: Dynamics of PNW Mountainous Terrain
Mountain Weather
Route Planning
Performance Planning
Confined Area Maneuvering
Precautionary and Emergency Landing Considerations
Survival Techniques and Considerations
Handouts Provided
About the Instructor:
Shawn Pratt grew up in Sitka, Alaska with his family routinely flying to explore SE Alaska in a rented seaplane, and it was there that he got his first taste of the freedom of general aviation. Shawn has flown in and around the Appalachian, Rocky, Cascade, Olympic, and Sierra mountains, as well as Alaska. Shawn has additionally flown several small aircraft across the country through challenging terrain and weather conditions developing his passion and excitement for mountain flight.
Shawn is the Director of Operations/Chief Pilot at Safety in Motion Flight Center located at Thun Field in Puyallup, WA. He holds ATP, CFI Gold Seal, and AGI certificates, manages two flight schools and FBOs, and additionally works as a charter and corporate pilot. He is passionate about passing on his knowledge and experience to his fellow aviators. Learn more about Shawn and all our Instructors.
More About Mountain Flying Training
Flying in and around the Pacific Northwest, you can see beaches stretching for miles and interesting rock outcroppings jutting out of the ocean. You can see the Hoh rain forest of the Olympics along with its snow-covered peaks and glacier fields. You may even see whales in the Puget Sound, and possibly mountain goats making their way along the rugged terrain of the Cascades. As pilots, we get to experience this region’s geography in a way that most people do not.
Although this type of “mountain flying” has many rewards, it also introduces many flight risks. “Risk mitigation” is something that we as pilots consider and address as part of our flight planning. Mountainous terrain has a great effect on wind and weather patterns that pilots need to be aware of. In many cases, we may also be flying at higher altitudes that push the limits of aircraft performance, and if an emergency or precautionary landing is needed, there are typically few options. Although this is only a short list of mountain flying risks, the risk can be reduced significantly with proper planning and preparation.
Mountain Flying Training
In addition to the clinic, consider taking a mountain flying course this year. Your instructor will be experienced in mountain flying, especially in the Pacific Northwest. Ground school courses on the topic are in-depth, and include flight hours in mountainous terrain, so you can experience and test the performance limits of your aircraft, route selection, landing options, etc.
Safety in Motion Flight Center routinely offers mountain flying clinics and in-flight training. Much of this training can be credited toward training requirements for Private and Commercial certificates while experiencing a fun and educational day of flying!
Learn more about our Flight Courses!
If you plan to visit airports in or close to mountainous terrain, schedule mountain flight training with a reputable school/instructor to gain experience. Your investment of time and money into learning about mountain flight will pay off as you will be able to operate safely in and around the awesome terrain we are lucky to have in our “backyard!”
