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Hocus Focus in Vermont

Tucked in a seam between the Green and Taconic Mountains, with the Adirondacks just to the west across the Champlain Valley, Rutland-Southern Vermont Regional Airport (KRUT) serves a variety of aircraft from biz jets to homebuilts. The appeal of Vermont scenery and skiing tempts vacationers into Rutland despite the surrounding hills.

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Key Takeaways:

  • Rutland Airport (KRUT) is situated in a challenging mountainous valley, with its lowest instrument approach (LOC Z Rwy 19) uniquely requiring a 50% steeper climb gradient (300 ft/NM) for the missed approach due to terrain obstructions.
  • The complex missed approach at Rutland is exceptionally hazardous, especially for light aircraft in windy conditions, as strong winds and downdrafts can make the required climb rate unattainable, posing a significant risk of terrain impact.
  • Pilots are strongly cautioned against attempting instrument approaches into Rutland in windy, low-visibility conditions without high-performance aircraft, with alternatives like Burlington, Glens Falls, or Albany recommended in such scenarios.
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Tucked in a seam between the Green and Taconic Mountains, with the Adirondacks just to the west across the Champlain Valley, Rutland-Southern Vermont Regional Airport (KRUT) serves a variety of aircraft from biz jets to homebuilts. The appeal of Vermont scenery and skiing tempts vacationers into Rutland despite the surrounding hills.

You have your choice of six approaches: four instrument approaches from the north facing into the cul-de-sac valley, and two “drop-ins” from the south that leave you over 2300 feet above the runway at MDA. The southern approaches are not available at night, although there are red obstruction lights on surrounding mountain ridges for VFR arrivals.

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