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.
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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
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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 'MeribelAltiport'.
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.
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how to get there
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SKI
With its
location so close to Altiport green Ski run it
is possible to ski very close to Meribel'sAltiport 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.
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FREE BUS
The last
bus stop of the free meribus route is MeribelAltiport. 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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meribel Flight - singlevalley
- 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.
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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.
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Late on in the winter season when the temperature starts to
rise and the snow starts to soften weight restrictions may come into
practice.
