I'll be taking a week long vacation with my wife in mid September to the Denver area. I'm a new private pilot (55 hours) with no mountain flying experience. I'm from Alabama.

I'm looking for either a flying tour of somewhere in Denver, Colorado Springs area that my wife and I can enjoy or maybe even take up a lesson in mountain flying while I'm there.

See here's the thing: My wife is attending a seminar on a Saturday while I've got nothing to do. So it would be a great opportunity for me to find something aviation to do. But is some ways I'd rather just look out the window and take in the sites. My wife says it doesn't matter to her one way or the other if she goes or not. So what to do?

I've looked for airplane tours in the area and can only find hot air balloon rides.

Suggestions anyone?

Try this contact...


Colorado Pilots Assn.
P. O. Box 200911
Denver, CO 80220-0911

Info: 303/367-0670, or
[email protected]

Stol wrote:Try this contact...


Colorado Pilots Assn.
P. O. Box 200911
Denver, CO 80220-0911

Info: 303/367-0670, or
[email protected]

What Stol wrote above.

Also, here's another suggestion I just thougt of. Rent a plane with an instructor that has mountian flying experience and fly up to Leadville (I believe it's the highest elevation airport in the US). And I also believe you can get a certificate for proving that you landed there. Some other local pilots might have more info about all that. Have fun!

Leadville is a must if you can do it...it is the highest in the continental US. Been there many times but have not been there with my own...yet.
The Barnstormer at the Greeley airport for breakfast either Sat or Sun morning...lots of pilots fly in. Also the cheapest gas on weekends.
Where ever you go...watch that density altitude!
HC

Here's where I am flying right now:

http://www.flights-inc.com/

It is a flight school / flying club. One more flight and I will be checked out in the C172. There are a couple good mountain flight instructors. I am going to schedule my mtn checkout when I figure out when I'll be in Denver again. We are going to take a C172 with 160 Hp up to Leadville. That should be a hoot, esp in August!

PM me if you want my instructor's name.

You could contact Dan Jensen at the Leadville Airport and get a in a flight with Dan or Ursula Gilgulin. A trip to Glenwood Springs is highly recommended too! http://www.leadvilleairport.com/ You have picked a terrific time to fly the high country. The aspens will likely be at the peak of their fall glory. Enjoy!

alpacapilot
Here's a tip for ya for instruction. Jer Eberhard Mtn. Flying Aviation
Ft. Collins Colo.
cell. 970.231.6325

I know him personally and he is a great guy. Teaches mtn flying part time in Idaho for McCall Mtn. Flying. Teaches Mtn. Flying for Colo. Pilots Assoc. and Colo. CAP. He will introduce you to Leadville if you like. You can't go wrong with Jer.

Good luck, and be safe. You are doing the best thing you can by getting some instruction first, from someone qualified and familiar with the area.

And, the gal I go out with raises alpacas. I'm sure that she would enjoy talking with you.


Gary