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:
- Butte, Montana's Bert Mooney Airport (BTM) utilizes a VOR-A approach with an R098 final course, which is a circling approach rather than a straight-in, but can offer a view of Runway 12 in clear conditions.
- The airport's 5,551-foot field elevation is surrounded by challenging high terrain, including 3,000 feet higher to the east and 1,000 feet higher to the west.
- These significant terrain obstacles, particularly during the right-turning missed approach, necessitate close monitoring of climb rates and result in high minimums of 7,120 feet MSL for all aircraft categories.
Key takeaways sponsored by Aviator Pro | Start Your Training ->
See a mistake? Contact us.
