Canyons – The Finer Points Adventure Flying Trips

Canyons of the Southwest
2025 Trip: Sep 25, 26, 27, 28

Breathtaking scenery.
Moab, Grand Canyon, Lake Powell, Desert Survival
AIRPLANE CAMP FOR ADULTS!
In this course, you will fly normal-category airplanes in remote environments while learning
how to safely fly canyons, operate at high-density altitudes, establish safe contingency
plans, and develop potentially life-saving survival skills.

Your backdrop will be the spectacular and immense Colorado Plateau where you will be
introduced to its geomorphology, natural history, and intriguing human history.
This adventure training experience includes sessions on post-crash survival and intensive
survival training focusing on spending the unexpected night out in remote backcountry
environments. You'll learn the nuances of modern rescue communication technology and
hone up on critical aspects of backcountry flight planning and rescue.

To add to all of this, the course includes an evening lecture on the visual waypoints and
“can’t miss” features by a local pilot scientist who has spent his career flying these
canyons.
Location
Experience the freedom of flying in the desert and canyons of the Southwest and enjoy
breathtaking views of Moab, Lake Powell the La Sal Mountains, and more. Overfly
Canyonlands and Arches National Park, and . . . you'll have the opportunity to learn how to
fly the VFR corridors (SFRA) of the Grand Canyon for one of the most spectacular views on
Earth!
This course is based out of breathtaking Monument Valley where you will fly directly into
the dramatic Monument Valley Airport (UT25) located on the Navajo Reservation.
Stay in small, private chalets on the grounds of Gouldings Landing at the Monument Valley
Airport and immerse yourself in the breathtaking scenery of the area.
After a long day of flying the Canyons, return to the airport to enjoy a delicious home-cooked Western barbecue with new friends, music, and sprawling desert landscapes.
Itinerary
The real highlight of this adventure training flying course is the chance to experience the
stunning Monument Valley and Colorado Plateau scenery up close and personal. Imagine
soaring over the iconic rock formations, witnessing the beauty of the area from the air.
Day 1
Fly Out and Meet Up
Meet at Goulding's Lodge|Monument Valley for our late afternoon meet-up, check in to our villas, and enjoy dinner together. Plan to arrive by 4 pm.
Day 2
Learn
Survival lectures with Howard Donner, Peter Lert, Eric Cope, and Jason Miller. After a pre-flight we fly the Grand Canyon before returning for dinner. Following dinner we hear from resident aerial archeologist, Jody Patterson in preparation for our flight on Saturday.
Day 3
Explore
On Saturday we fly north toward the Green River for some low-altitude canyon flying. Low passes at Mineral Canyon and flights to find some of the archeological sites described by Jody the night before. This day ends with a beautiful cookout under the stars!
Day 4
Wrap up, Certificates
Breakfast and then a morning departure on Sunday.
“I came back a better pilot than I left, without question. I signed up for the trip to learn about flying in a new environment, to gain the skills and familiarity to safely operate in high terrain at high density altitude. I got what I expected, but quite a bit more. Flying all day for three straight days, working with excellent, experienced instructors; my attitude toward flying grew and matured. I came back more capable and more confident.”

Thomas Byrne
A Truly Unique Experience
The purpose of these clinics is to teach an understanding of desert meteorology, high altitude operations, desert, and survival preparedness.

We believe that by immersing you in the environment and surrounding you with decades of experience, you will learn as much as absolutely possible about the art and science of flying in the mountains safely. We believe an emphasis on survival planning is an important factor in your education if you plan to fly in mountainous terrain.

The course fee includes sessions by some of the world's top lecturers on the following topics:
High-density altitude operations
Desert physiology
Desert meteorology
Flying canyons
Unimproved field operations
ELTs, PLBs, and other tracking devices
What's important in a desert survival kit
Post-crash survival
Harvesting the airplane
Pricing
Whether you join us in your own plane or rent one of ours, we will help pair you with an instructor to tailor the weekend to your needs.

Airplane Owners
Fly with us in your aircraft. We help partner you with an experienced mountain flying instructor.
If you own an airplane, we will connect you with an experienced dedicated instructor for your airplane to train you in canyon flying in your own aircraft.
Kids 12 and under free with owners.

$4950 Course fee
$2000 Instructor fee

Non flying guests $1250
Rental
Fly with us in a rented aircraft. We help pair you with an experienced flight instructor.
Let us take care of everything.

$4950 Course fee + aircraft rental
$2000 Instructor fee

Non flying guests $1250
“I stretched my skills during the weekend, and met lots of great people - I am a safer pilot because of what I learned!”
Alyce Gershenson
Canyons of the Southwest
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Canyons of the Southwest

2025 Trip: Sep 25, 26, 27, 28 Breathtaking scenery.Moab, Grand Canyon, Lake Powell, Desert Survival

AIRPLANE CAMP FOR ADULTS!

In this course, you will fly normal-category airplanes in remote environments while learning

how to safely fly canyons, operate at high-density altitudes, establish safe contingency

plans, and develop potentially life-saving survival skills.

Your backdrop will be the spectacular and immense Colorado Plateau where you will be

introduced to its geomorphology, natural history, and intriguing human history.

This adventure training experience includes sessions on post-crash survival and intensive

survival training focusing on spending the unexpected night out in remote backcountry

environments. You'll learn the nuances of modern rescue communication technology and

hone up on critical aspects of backcountry flight planning and rescue.

Location

Experience the freedom of flying in the desert and canyons of the Southwest and enjoy

breathtaking views of Moab, Lake Powell the La Sal Mountains, and more. Overfly

Canyonlands and Arches National Park, and . . . you'll have the opportunity to learn how to

fly the VFR corridors (SFRA) of the Grand Canyon for one of the most spectacular views on

Earth!

This course is based out of breathtaking Monument Valley where you will fly directly into

the dramatic Monument Valley Airport (UT25) located on the Navajo Reservation.

Stay in small, private chalets on the grounds of Gouldings Landing at the Monument Valley

Airport and immerse yourself in the breathtaking scenery of the area.

After a long day of flying the Canyons, return to the airport to enjoy a delicious home-cooked Western barbecue with new friends, music, and sprawling desert landscapes.

Itinerary

The real highlight of this adventure training flying course is the chance to experience thestunning Monument Valley and Colorado Plateau scenery up close and personal. Imaginesoaring over the iconic rock formations, witnessing the beauty of the area from the air.

Day 1

Fly Out and Meet Up

Day 2

Learn

Day 3

Explore

Day 4

Wrap up, Certificates

A Truly Unique Experience

The purpose of these clinics is to teach an understanding of desert meteorology, high altitude operations, desert, and survival preparedness.

The course fee includes sessions by some of the world's top lecturers on the following topics:

Pricing

Whether you join us in your own plane or rent one of ours, we will help pair you with an instructor to tailor the weekend to your needs.

Airplane Owners

Fly with us in your aircraft. We help partner you with an experienced mountain flying instructor.

Rental

Fly with us in a rented aircraft. We help pair you with an experienced flight instructor.

“I stretched my skills during the weekend, and met lots of great people - I am a safer pilot because of what I learned!”Alyce Gershenson

Canyons of the Southwest

Sign up to connect with us for trip updates.

2025 Trip: Sep 25, 26, 27, 28

Breathtaking scenery.
Moab, Grand Canyon, Lake Powell, Desert Survival

The real highlight of this adventure training flying course is the chance to experience the
stunning Monument Valley and Colorado Plateau scenery up close and personal. Imagine
soaring over the iconic rock formations, witnessing the beauty of the area from the air.

“I stretched my skills during the weekend, and met lots of great people - I am a safer pilot because of what I learned!”
Alyce Gershenson