A sightseeing
tourist flight in a small light aircraft is one of the most
thrilling and exciting ways of seeing the snow capped
mountains in all their glory from the air. As the plane
banks it all becomes clear - the mountains, the ski runs the
resorts. Darting over and past mountains the airplane flight
is an experience you will remember forever.
Airplanes are
not allowed to fly in bad weather by law. These conditions
include Snow, Sleet, Rain or heavy cloud - all the
conditions that are are not suited to a tourist, sightseeing
flight.
.
Early in the season
December / January / February when the days are shorter and the nights get darker earlier
the last flights are around
4.30pm
.
As
the season progresses and days get longer flights can continue up
to 7.00pm
The air strip
in Meribel is situated in an area of Meribel called
'Meribel Altiport'. The Altiport also has the most popular
beginner green ski run named after it which runs along the
top of the runway itself. The Airplane operating companies
office is situated in the Altiport car park near the
Altiport Hotel under their veranda next to the steps.
.
how to get
there
.
WHITETRACKS
HOST
Collected from
your Courchevel Chalet or Hotel you and the other participants will be
transported straight to the Altiport in Courchevel. The
Whitetracks host will then take you to the
Airplane office where they will then introduce you the Pilot.
They will then walk with you to the Airplane, take photos
and make sure that you have understood the instructions on
how to enter the plane.
.
The Whitetracks host will
then wait patiently at the Altiport until your Airplane
tourist flight has finished ready to escort you back to your chalet or
hotel. Whitetracks Host
There has been
a flying surface in Courchevel since 1953 but until 1992
when the landing strip as it is today was built for the
Albertville Winter Olympics the strip was grass field that
went across the mountain not down. Unlike Meribel it is a
runway that is true to its name during the winter months the
asphalt landing strip is cleared firstly by a plough and
then swept clear in order to remove any access snow that the
plough can not remove.
.
At 2000m the
runway is officially the highest runway in Europe it is 535m
long by 40m wide and slopes downwards or upwards depending
on whether you are taking off or landing. Courchevel
Altiport can cater for larger planes carrying up to 35
people.
.
When ready the
pilot will guide you to the plane, once in the
airplane the pilot will make you put your seatbelts and headsets
on before he performs his last checks. When the pilot is ready
he will turn the plane around and point it straight down the
runway for the takeoff. By increasing the power the plane starts
to move swiftly down the runway until gently and gradually the
planes skis leave the ground.
.
meribel Flight - single valley - 10 minutes
Three
Vallees Flight - meribel / courchevel / val thorens - 20 minutes
Haute
Tarentaise - 30 minutes
The landing is
just as impressive as the takeoff and the flight itself.
When landing
at Courchevel the pilot must land on full power this is due
to the upwards angle of the runway. If the plane is not at
full power it will not make it to the top of the runway.
.
Once the plane
has come to a stand still and the propeller has stopped
rotating the pilot will open the cockpit and remind you
where to step as you walk off the wing to the ground.
Flying
conditions are different in summer and winter - Conditions in
winter are said to be much calmer due to ground expelling less
heat due to snow cover and the fact that the snow is white which
stops the ground absorbing the heat from the sun. In the summer
the ground heats up much quicker which produces more thermals in
turn creating more turbulence meaning a much bumpier flight.
Normal
shoes will be needed to partake in the activity
- Ski Boots are NOT allowed to be worn as they would cause
serious damage to the plane wing and cockpit when climbing
in and out.
If you wish to take
part in the activity by yourself you will need to pay the
minimum charge which will be the price of two people. Sometimes
it maybe possible to have three passengers if two of them are
small children.
The Cesna 172 is a
good plane for learning as it is very stable. It is also a very
good plane for tourist flights as the wings are high so will not
impede vision in anyway
.
Cockpit
layout and design is similar in every plane small to large with
the main six instruments in the same position across the
board
