Butte, Montana, and its Bert Mooney Airport (BTM) are nestled snuggly between the Yellowstone and Glacier national parks in the southwestern portion of the state, where copper mining was once the primary economic driver. The Butte VOR-A approach to Mooney Airport seems pretty straightforward, but remember, of course, that any approach without a runway number indicates the final approach course does not technically meet the definition of a straight-in. The VOR-A’s R098 final approach course is pretty close, and should, under no-wind conditions, offer a glimpse of Runway 12 out the left front cockpit window if the weather permits.
Chart Wise: Training and Technique
Key Takeaways:
- Bert Mooney Airport (BTM) in Butte, Montana, utilizes a VOR-A approach, which, despite a close R098 final course, is not a designated "straight-in" approach.
- The airport presents significant terrain challenges due to its high field elevation (5,551 ft) and surrounding terrain that rises up to 3,000 feet east and 1,000 feet west, impacting both approaches and missed approaches.
- Due to these nearby obstacles and elevated terrain, all aircraft categories have high minimums of 7,120 feet MSL for approaches to BTM.
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