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:
- The Butte VOR-A approach to Bert Mooney Airport (BTM) in Montana is not a straight-in approach, with a final course (R098) that is close to Runway 12.
- Approaching BTM presents significant challenges due to high surrounding terrain, including a 5,551-foot field elevation with mountains rising 3,000 feet east and 1,000 feet west, leading to high minimums (7,120 feet MSL) for all aircraft and requiring close monitoring of climb rates during the missed approach.
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