High altitude strips

[The-sky-captain]

I'm going into Pagosa Springs, Colorado soon and was just curious to see what the highest strip any of you have departed from and what the conditions were like (weight, temp...) The highest I've been out of so far is FTG in Denver (twice) which is 5512' with a 8k runway. Both times were near gross weight but in the middle of winter.

[Lood]

Highest that I've done here in South Africa were as follows:

Strip altitude - 5300 ft, strip lenght - 2700 ft, surface - grass, temp - about 70 deg F, full tanks but only myself and some personal luggage in the airplane - about 400 lbs below MTOW.

I got airborne with about 600 ft to spare if my memory serves me right. So I basically used a little more than 2000 ft in my '67 M20F. An ashpalt surface will make all the difference of course. Here in RSA, our greatest enemy is density altitude during summer. Many pilots get caught out by it every year and unfortunately, quite a few of these accidents are fatal.

 

[67M20F]

I take off from a strip that is 7000+ and in the summer, it gets fun. Slow climb and lots of roll but shell do it.

[airkraft]

I doubt a new Acclaim could break ground faster than my E model at KASE or KLXV!

[KSMooniac]

I got Leadville in the logbook last October on my way back from Rifle.  I was solo, half tanks or so, and maybe 100 lbs of stuff.  Density altitude at takeoff was 11,200' and I used a lot of the 6000' runway.  I won't go there in the summer!  My avatar pic is from there.

[airkraft]

You can safely operate out of Leadville in the Summer.  I'm in and out of there frequently in the E model and our 172 ( I prefer the Mooney!).  6,400' is a lot of runway.  I like to build some extra airspeed in ground effect before climb-out.  Use correct mixture, mind your gross weight and use terrain/ wind to help find lift.  ALWAYS have an out.  That's 90% of safe mountain flying in a nutshell. 

[randypugh]

Airkraft, what do you mean by wach your gross weight? Can you fly out of Leadville at gross in the summer?

[The-sky-captain]

Does anybody know of any good mountain flying instructors in the Colorado area? I am planning on taking a mountain flying course in early summer and would appreciate any feedback. Thanks.

[KSMooniac]

I'm tentatively planning on attending the June course here:
http://www.coloradopilots.org/

 

[The-sky-captain]

It looks like a good class, I may see you there. Thanks for the info Scott.

[airkraft]

Quote: randypugh

Airkraft, what do you mean by wach your gross weight? Can you fly out of Leadville at gross in the summer?