Mountain week is a week-long project that puts into practice what we have been teaching for the previous 7 weeks. It's as close to actual operational flying as we can get before sending them to the field.
Friendship airport is about 1,200 feet long with a 4% slope. It's a nice entry-level STOL runway.
Friendship: As seen from the approach end in the air. The slope and tress make this a one-way airstrip, with an airborne committal point for landing. No go-around.
Strawberry Ridge lies at the top of a mountain (3,700 feet) and offers a spectacular approach and departure. Landing zone (marked with white cones) has a 8% average slope. The roll-out quickly increases to a maximum of 18%. Stopping will not be a problem on this airstrip.
We were able to complete the survey and planning for Strawberry Ridge, but weather prevented us from returning with an airplane. We will be back. The above picture is from the top looking down slope.
Avery Co Airport was our base of operations for the week. We camped out in the main hanger. (Spruce Pine, NC)
(Left to Right) Orientation graduates Nathan Rozema (AIM AIR, Kenya), John Solt (Flying Mission, Zambia) and Nathan Brinkerhof (SAMAIR, Peru)
