"Peter R." wrote in message
...
Matt Barrow wrote:

Out here in the West, it's not unusual to find a 2,000 hour pilot with
less
than 40 hrs IMC time.

I agree, but you all certainly have your daily challenges there as well,
such as mountain flying and density altitude.

My family is having a reunion/vacation at a resort in Avon, Colorado, in
July. There is a towered airport west of Avon and I was considering
flying
the Bonanza from NY to this airport. However, the fact that I would have
to go over the front range to fly into this airport leaves me with two
options: 1) Don't fly or 2) Leave a few days early and take a mountain
flying course in Denver.

You'd best fly into Eagle County, about 15 miles west of Avon. It's a real
nice airport but one that all the celebrities use that have homes in Vail
(i.e. expensive fuel, tie downs). NTL, it's in a big wide valley, so it's an
easy approach/departure.

Instead of Option #1, fly into Jeffco (on the west side of Denver) and take
a rental car. You'd appreciate the drive, on I-70, of about 90 miles to
Avon, through the Eisenhower Tunnel, over Vail Pass.


I might take option (2), but this would depend on my business schedule.

The flight from Denver to Eagle is over terrain that runs over 14,000 feet.
AIR, you have a TN'd Bonanza, so that should not be too any trouble except
your would want to start out right after sunrise to avoid the thermals.

You'll be about 80nm from me here in Montrose. Stop in and I'll take you out
to Ouray, (35 miles south of here on the "Million Dollar Highway") some of
the most spectacular scenery you'll ever see.


--
Matt
---------------------
Matthew W. Barrow
Site-Fill Homes, LLC.
Montrose, CO