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
.
SKI
With its
location so close to Altiport green Ski run it is possible
to ski very close to Meribel's Altiport just having to walk a
short distance across the Altiport Hotel veranda down some
steps and into the operating companies office. Their office
door id the door with hundreds of stickers on.
.
FREE BUS
The
last bus stop of the free meribus route is Meribel
Altiport. The stop itself is located near the
entrance of the Altiport car park. This bus travels
to all areas of Meribel picking up and dropping off
at every stop - you do not need a lift pass to travel free
on the Meribus, it is free to everyone. Once off the bus you
need to walk into the main car park and along the
front of the Altiport Hotel. The Airplane operating
companies off is under the steps.
.
WHITETRACKS
HOST
Collected from
your chalet you and the other participants will be
transported straight to the Altiport in Meribel. 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
Meribel
- has a landing strip that is made of asphalt meaning that in fact
it is a proper runway but during the winter months it is covered
in snow. If the snow is not cleared as in Meribel the landing
strip is known as an Alti-surface not a runway. When landing and
taking off from an Alti-surface the plane needs skis instead of
wheels.
.
When landing
on snow planes with skis do not have brakes pilots through
their skill and experience have to make the flaps go down by
pulling back on the controls, power down and slide the plane
to a stand still.
.
When ready the
pilot will guide you to the plane, he will climb on to the
wing and stand next to the open cockpit. From here he will
direct you as to where to stand on the wing as you climb up
to get in through the open cockpit window. The person
sitting in the back will have to get in first - the pilot
will tell you this.
.
When 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 coming into land the pilot will line the plane up
decrease power, float in, and land. By
making the flaps go down by
pulling back on the controls the
pilot will then power down further before turning it off in
order to slide to a stand still. Planes with skis have no
brakes to stop with it is all pilot skill and precision.
.
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.
.
Late on in the
winter season when the temperature starts to rise and the snow
starts to soften weight restrictions may come into practice.
