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Take Your Time

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Planning a scenic mountain flight in a small, normally aspirated aircraft required adapting the route to lower Minimum Enroute Altitudes (MEAs) and scheduling a fuel stop due to terrain and performance limitations.
  • The pilot identified potential safety concerns with the RNAV Rwy 15 missed approach climb requirements at Page, Arizona, given the aircraft's performance in warmer, higher-altitude conditions.
  • A thorough pre-flight evaluation led to choosing the VOR-B approach instead, as its lower missed approach altitude and holding pattern over the airport offered a safer and more manageable contingency for the challenging destination.
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Scenic trips over the mountains out west often require creative flight planning. The smaller the aircraft, the more “scenic” the trip. That’s the whole point, so not worrying about how long it takes to make the final destination goes a long way to lighten the risk burden. Then, go in good weather to enjoy the scenery and the lack of clouds, storms, ice, and turbulence. But a flight like this can still be a handful, starting with the preparation.

Swing South

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