neoflyer wrote:CPA? Cessna Pilots Assoc.?
Colorado Pilot's Association.
Cary wrote:If you were to take both the CPA seminar and do the optional flying with one of CPA's mountain instructors, you'd get some superb training in both high elevation flying and back country flying. These folks do know what they're doing. My regular CFII who does my IPCs and BFRs is one of them, and I know personally several others of them. The last I heard, there will be 2 sessions again in 2017, as there were in 2016, in June and in August.
Cary
Yes, but... If what you want is a bunch of instruction on how to land on challenging backcountry strips, you'd be hard pressed to find anyone in Colorado that provides it. One of the few downsides to living here is that we have an incredible lack of such strips, so while you'll learn a great deal about high mountain flying in the CPA (or similar) course, you won't be cranking out dirt-strip-on-a-hill landings. You will come away with a usable understanding about mountain weather, density altitude, landing at true high country airports, crossing passes, and a dozen other crucial things though.
Now that said, we always have a plane or two painted across the rocks every year because someone simply fails to appreciate how much you need to respect mountain aviation at these elevations. No matter your goals, if you haven't done it yet I highly recommend one of these proper high mountain courses, which is a good bit different than asking a CFI to take you up for a flight in the hills. This is just one of those areas where book knowledge only gets you so far, and experience is worth every penny, so ask questions up front if it isn't part of a formally sanctioned course. I've flown with CFI's who have no business teaching mountains, and you'd never know until you prodded a bit.
The CPA courses are highly regarded, and you should definitely do the flying portion, as the mountain CFI's are pre-vetted and you'll learn how to be a better pilot by the end of the day. I just suggest looking to other places if what you're actually after is a class on operating in remote mountain strips. The learntolandshort stuff is very interesting indeed, and one I will likely sign up for once my wings aren't rented. I'd also utilize a local instructor if I wanted to fly into Idaho strips or the like, just to gain that tribal knowledge.
