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Mountain rating (wheels)

Mountain flying

Mountain rating
wheels

(Extract from the AFPM / FFA programme, Edition 1 – February 2018)

Entry requirements

Prerequisites for starting mountain training:

  • Hold a valid LAPL, class 1 or class 2 medical certificate in accordance with PART MED A.030
  • Hold a PPL(A), CPL(A) or ATPL(A) licence with a valid SEP(T) class rating, or
  • Hold a LAPL(A) licence meeting the recent experience requirements of FCL.140.A.
  • Hold the differences training required for the aircraft used

Objectives of mountain flying training

The objective of mountain flying training is to train pilots to the level of competence needed to operate an aeroplane safely to and from surfaces for which the authorities designated by the Member States consider such a rating necessary.

This mountain flying training must enable pilots, in complete safety:

  • To navigate among the relief, taking the environment into account
  • To decide whether to use – or not to use – an altiport or a mountain airstrip and to choose the landing parameters, after a detailed analysis of the environment
  • To fly paths and speeds that allow a safe landing.
  • To carry out a safe take-off

This training programme is competency-based

Technical skills

  • Handling (PIL): flying and controlling the aeroplane's primary parameters (heading, speed, altitude, vertical speed) using pre-set values.
  • Flight path (TRA): designing, visualising and following a flight path through key points.
  • Procedures (PRO): applying all the procedures in force for preparing and conducting the flight.
  • Communication (COM): understanding others and making yourself understood without ambiguity.
  • Knowledge (CNS): all the knowledge needed to carry out the flight.

Non-technical skills

  • Situational awareness (COS): the pilot is aware of all factors, such as traffic, weather, fuel, the state of the aeroplane and their own fatigue, that could affect the success of the training scenario.
  • Decision-making (DEC): the pilot makes appropriate decisions in good time, based on the tasks to be carried out, in-depth knowledge and the use of all available resources.
  • Workload management (GES): the pilot prioritises and selects the most appropriate tasks (or series of tasks) to ensure the success of the training scenario.

Training programme

Theoretical knowledge

  1. Equipment
  2. Take-off and landing techniques
  3. Regulations
  4. Meteorology
  5. Human performance and limitations
  6. Navigation
  7. Specific items

Flight instruction

  1. Handling and navigation in the mountains
  2. Arrival, reconnaissance and choice of reference points
  3. Approach and landing
  4. Ground manoeuvres and parking on natural surfaces.
  5. Take-offs

As training follows a CBT approach, there is no set number of hours to obtain an additional mountain flying rating.

Mountain flying training