• Mountain Flying Adventure

    Mountain Passes, Survival Training, Expert Lectures

  • Itinerary

    This course is designed to build confidence flying normal category airplanes in and out of high altitude airports. You will learn how to fly mountain passes, operate in high density altitudes, contingency planning, and survival skills.

     

    Join us this summer as we explore the passes, departing and landing at various mountain airports, high altitude operations

    Day 1

    Arrive

    San Carlos, California

     

    1000 Meet at San Carlos Flight Center to brief the 2 hour flight to the Lake Tahoe area

     

     

    1200 Touring the lake, Desolation Wilderness area, Squaw Valley and landing KTRK

     

    1230 Set up camp / Lunch

     

    1300 Lectures and Discussions on the following topics:

    • The Mountain Environment
    • High Density Altitude Operations
    • High Altitude Physiology
    • Flying Mountain Passes
    • Spending the UNEXPECTED night out 

    1530 Evening pattern work at KTRK

     

    1900 Dinner

     

    2030 Wheels down for the night

    Day 2

    Explore

    Truckee, California

     

    0630 Breakfast

     

    0730 Preflight Briefing

     

    0800 Wheels up for a morning of mountain passes and an afternoon of mountain strips. To include:

    • Carson Pass
    • Ebbets Pass
    • Sonora Pass
    • Buckeye Pass
    • Tioga Pass

    1200 Lunch at KBIH

     

    1400 Depart for Mono Lake, Alpine Co, Sierraville, and back to base camp KTRK

     

    1830 Dinner

    Day 3

    Wrap Up / Certificate

    San Carlos, California

     

    0800 Breakfast

     

    0830 Soar Truckee presents:

    • Forced Landings for Powered Pilots
    • Mountain Meteorology
    • Flying Off the Ridge

    0900 Glider flights

     

    1200 Depart for KSQL

     

    1400 Arrive at San Carlos Flight Center

     

    1430 Issue completion certificates

  • “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 mountain meteorology, high altitude operations, high altitude physiology, 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 of 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
    • High altitude physiology
    • Mountain meteorology
    • Flying mountain passes
    • Unimproved field operations
    • ELTs, PLBs, and other tracking devices
    • What's important in a survival kit
    • Post crash survival
    • Harvesting the airplane

    We will be operating at many mountain airports, such as:

    KTRK, KTVL, O22, M45, KBIH, O24, O79

    Truckee Tahoe catering

    Nobody can make a seat next to a campfire feel like a fine restaurant like Chef Patrick Courtney. It really makes a difference to come back to camp after a long day and have a glass of wine and a plate of fresh BBQ or pasta primavera waiting. We are proud to present the food of Tahoe Chefs in the House on this course.

    Suggested Packing List

    • Tent
    • Sleeping pad
    • Sleeping bag (2 if able, unless bag rated for 20F and using a sleeping pad)
    • 1-2 Canteen or water bottle
    • 4 pairs of socks
    • 3-4 T-shirts
    • 1-2 pair of shorts
    • 1-2 pairs of long pants
    • 1 comfortable outfit (sweat pants, long underwear, flannel, etc. for campground)
    • Towel
    • Sandals or slippers
    • Shoes good for flying and light hiking​
    • Toiletries

  • “The Mountain Flying course put on by Jason and the team at The Finer Points is something every pilot should check out if he/she is serious about raising the level of their flying ability. I left the course with a newfound confidence in handling high altitude airstrips, mountain passes, weather phenomena, survival skills and the real life experience of taking off on a short strip under high density altitude conditions. Most importantly though, the course is FUN. As aviators we can’t ask for much more than than flying in a challenging and fun environment. That’s exactly what this course is all about.”

     

    Cuyler B

  • Pricing

    All Inclusive: $4950

    Let us take care of everything. You will have a spot in one of our late model G1000 Cessna 182s (expect around 4-6 hours of PIC time) and one 30 minute glider flight. There are no hidden costs here. We provide the airplane, instructor, fuel, and:

    • Camping arrangements
    • Custom TFP survival kit
    • Gourmet food by Bio Bio Expeditions
    • Lectures by Jason Miller and Dr. Howard Donner
    • Lectures by Soar Truckee glider instructors

    Aircraft Owner: $2750

    If you own an airplane, we will provide an experienced instructor to train you in mountain flying in your own aircraft. Pricing includes:

    • Dedicated instructor for your airplane
    • Camping arrangements
    • Custom TFP survival kit
    • Gourmet food by BIOBIO Expeditions
    • Lectures by Jason Miller and Dr. Howard Donner
    • Lectures by Soar Truckee glider instructors

  • Booking Now for 2017

    Place your deposit for one of our upcoming trips to reserve your place.

    Deposit is non-refundable. Hobbs time overages incur additional charges. Adjustments may be made for adverse weather conditions.

    Sign up to be notified of future trip dates.

  • Mountain Adventure Video

    Courtesy of Flight Chops

    Take Off at 8,000 ft Density Altitude

    It's all about patience when trying to get off the ground with a high DA…

    Flying Ridges and Mountain Passes

    Good training and prep cuts risks

    Flying this close to jagged rocks is intimidating to say the least…

    Hypoxia Symptoms and Avoidance

    Mountain flying, NorCal ATC audio above 12,500 feet

    The insidious threat that is Hypoxia, affects everyone in a unique way…

    Birth of a HUGE Wild Fire

    California Mountain Flying

    Having an aerial view to witness how fast a wild fire can grow, was humbling.

    Survival after Forced Landing

    California Mountain Flying

    Living through a crash in the mountains is the least of your problems!

    After FORCED LANDING, get FOUND

    Search & Rescue flight plans, PLBs

    Survival skills aren't much good, if no one can find you!

    Landing at 8,500ft Density Altitude

    Drinking from the Firehose!

    C182 Landing, G1000, high DA and NorCal

Copyright 2017

Sign up for our next trip!
Mountains, July 2017