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Challenge Flights

Want an exciting new challenge?

Ready to sharpen your flying skills with a personal pilot’s license? Or perhaps you would like to expand your VFR skills with some flying that you would not ordinarily experience. Either way, Aero Elite has a program that does both.

This program of five flights will expand your experience base and be a lot of fun. At the end, you will be a much more confident and experienced VFR pilot.

Each Challenge Flight has unique challenges and will build new skills to increase your flying proficiency. They can be accomplished in any order but will be only conducted in VFR conditions.

Each Challenge Flight is described below. Get ready for some serious fun!

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Challenge Flights

The Sky Bryce Challenge

Mountain

Landing at short strips surrounded by terrain

Sky Bryce (VG18) is a resort nestled in the hills of Virginia a few miles south of our Winchester base. The resort features mountain chalets, a golf course, ski slopes, hiking trails, and a nearby lake. It also has a private airstrip featuring some interesting approaches. The runway is only 2240’ long and 50’ wide so get ready for some short field landings and takeoffs.
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There is a lot to learn about getting in and out of VG18 so the flight will begin with a thorough briefing on the ground by your instructor to ensure you are aware of all the techniques to be used and the risks to be avoided.

The takeoff and landing is complicated by tall trees at either end of the runway so you can forget about a low approach. A steep approach is required. But the real challenge of getting in and out is approaching the runway. A normal pattern is really not possible because of the surrounding terrain. Approaching from either the south or the north you’ll need to use the “Golf Course Visual” approach flying at treetop level below many of the mountain chalets! Flying in and out of Sky Bryce will build your confidence in landing at short strips surrounded by terrain. When you are finished you will have a whole new perspective on airport operations and be a first step towards more challenging mountain flying.

The Dulles Airport Challenge

Major Airport

Following ATC directions and proper sequencing

Ever wanted to fly into a major airport? How about some touch and goes at Dulles International Airport in busy Class B airspace? This Challenge Flight will provide the opportunity for you to fly in and out of Dulles from either our Leesburg or Winchester bases. You don’t need to use your short field techniques here as the shortest runway at Dulles is 9400X150’ while the longest is 11,500X150’. But you will be sequenced in with the big boys from A380’s to B737’s for the landings and takeoffs.
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The challenge of going into Dulles (KIAD) is not the actual landing or takeoff but following ATC direction to be properly sequenced in and out of the airport. Its critical that you follow ATC direction precisely but be sure your Aero Elite instructor will be closely monitoring both your flying and ATC radio communications to ensure a safe and orderly operation. Prior to the flight your instructor will provide you with a complete briefing on getting into and out of Dulles along with a risk assessment with an emphasis on wake turbulence avoidance.

At the completion of the flight you’ll be able to log your flight into Dulles and will have good practical knowledge of flying in and out of busy Class B airports. Next up are Kennedy Airport (KJFK) and Los Angeles (KLAX) but this might be too far for a Challenge Flight!

The Falwell Airport Challenge

Sloped Runway

Landing and taking off on a sloped runway

You may have heard or even experienced sloped runways but the Falwell airport (W24) features a runway slope that is a bit of a challenge. Expect to use full power to taxi back to the FBO! The single runway at Fallwell is sufficiently sloped that you can only land one way and takeoff the other way.
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That is, you’ll land uphill and takeoff downhill. It’s actually a lot of fun but the first time in you will be surprised by the slope. But once familiar, you will fly the pattern with confidence.

Prior to the flight you instructor will provide a briefing on the ins and outs of getting into Falwell safely including a risk assessment. The instructor will carefully monitor the operation to ensure successful operations at Falwell and help you to learn as much as possible about difficult airports.

The Clearview Challenge

Narrow Runway

Landing and taking off in a cross wind

The Clearview Park Airport (2W2) near Westminster Md provides a bit of a challenge for landings and takeoffs especially in a cross wind. With a runway measuring 1840X30’ its a bit shorter and narrower than many pilots are comfortable with. Not much room for error. To add to the runway challenge, it also has a bit of a slope making landing downhill (often necessary because of winds) a challenge.
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Before leaving our base, your Aero Elite instructor will provide a thorough briefing on getting in and out of Clearview including a a risk assessment and helpful advice. The instructor will also carefully monitor your landings and takeoffs to ensure safe operations. Expect a go around the first time in!

The Hot Springs Challenge

Mountain

Landing and taking off at altitude

At first glance, flying into Hot Springs (KHSP) doesn’t look like much of a challenge with its 5600X100’ runway. Should be easy right? Well that is until you notice that it is on the top of a mountain almost 4,000’ feet AGL. On a hot summer day and high density altitude, your C172 will be struggling with density altitudes exceeding 7,000’.
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To complicate matters, there is a 0.5% slope meaning one end of the runway is about 30’ higher than the other end so it makes a difference which way you land and takeoff. High winds can also be problematic in the mountains so be prepared for a bit of turbulence unless there are calm winds.

But flying there is half the fun. Get ready for some seriously beautiful views of the mountains as you fly down. Be sure to bring your camera!

Your instructor will provide you with a complete briefing on all aspects of flying into Hot Springs but don’t forget to stop at the FBO which is very well equipped.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much will it cost?
The cost of these flights will include 30 minutes of ground instruction at our published instructional rates and the hobbs charges for aircraft and instructor to accomplish the challenge.
Can I fly my own aircraft?
These flights are designed to be accomplished in one of Aero Elite’s superb aircraft. If you want to use your own aircraft the instructor will need to approve that as not all aircraft will be suitable for these flights.
Will I get a certificate?
When you have completed all the challenge flights you will receive a logbook endorsement certifying that the challenges have been met as well as a completion certificate attesting to your higher level of proficiency. The biggest advantage however is that these flights are just a lot of fun.

Congratulations!

After you have completed these five challenge flights you will receive a certificate from the Aero Elite Flight School confirming your new VFR skills and providing you the confidence to fly into more challenging airports. 

Go on a Challenge Flight

Let us know and let’s start talking!

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