Gettin Outta Town

Some of the best remote scenery is in northernmost Utah, well away from the hubbub of Salt Lake City. Dozens of mountain peaks, ranges, national forests and year-round resorts all make the mid-size city of Logan a nice destination. Logan-Cache airport offers everything you need to fly in and enjoy the area. While travel choices abound once youre there, flying back out is a different matter.

Elaine Kauh

Sunday, December 17, 2017 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Departing Logan-Cache (KLGU) presents significant challenges due to its high elevation, surrounding mountains, and demanding Obstacle Departure Procedures (ODP).
Aircraft performance calculations are critical, as high density altitudes (especially in summer) can make it difficult for an aircraft to achieve the required 274 ft/NM climb gradient specified in the ODP.
To ensure a safe departure, pilots must consider strategies like reducing aircraft weight, planning for cooler temperatures (e.g., early morning), or utilizing the ODP's visual climb option which offers alternative routing.

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The Scenic Route Down

The ILS 17 is spectacular as you overfly the surrounding mountains and descend into the valley. Airport elevation is 4457 feet—amidst much higher sector altitudes. It’s a 16-mile final after your 10,000-foot transition from the Malad City VOR. While that’s a longer final than usual, the only thing close to being inconvenient was a long taxi to the south ramp, but you landed long and shaved a mile off the drive.