Infamous Aspen

Saturday, September 10, 2022 at 01:05 PM ET

Verified

The on-demand private flight service FlyOtto is offering United Airlines a free flight for staff to prove the helpfulness of its service. FlyOtto

Key Takeaways:

Aspen's airport poses significant challenges due to its high altitude (7837 ft), location in a box canyon surrounded by high peaks, and associated density-altitude and go-around limitations.
The instrument approaches, particularly the LOC/DME-E, are exceptionally demanding with a steep 6.59-degree descent profile and high minimums, requiring very high descent rates that can lead to unstabilized approaches.
Both the approach and the complex missed approach procedure demand meticulous navigation, often requiring dual VHF receivers, precise localizer tracking (including switching to a different localizer for the missed approach), and careful use of DME and VOR radials.
Successfully flying into Aspen requires thorough pre-briefing, accurate radio setup, and high pilot proficiency, with turbocharged aircraft often necessary due to the challenging altitudes and performance demands.

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Aspen is home to the rich and famous—senators, movie stars, and industry titans all have second homes here. Aspen is the home of the $10 cup of coffee. And aside from the high prices, what’s not to like? Aspen is the ultimate cute little mountain town that progress has not spoiled. There is fresh air and biking/hiking trails everywhere. Aspen has four world-class ski areas within easy reach. But Aspen is also a long way from anywhere. That’s part of its appeal.

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