Flight: KDEN to KASE

Some readers may now I also maintain a web page for a virtual airline of my own invention called NorthernStar Airways. This is mainly a bush pilots charter type of outfit specializing in flights into small fields in the Canadian wilderness, the Rockies west of Denver, and Hawaii. This flight occurs in the Denver district.

Ordinarily, flights in the Denver district use the satellite airport Denver-Jeffco to avoid the congestion and delays experienced at the huge Denver Intl, but there are two flights that are an exception to this rule: Denver Intl to Aspen, and Denver Intl to Eagle County (Vail, Colorado). Aspen and Vail are world-famous ski resorts, and the traffic flow between Denver Intl and Aspen and Eagle County is so heavy in the winter months that Continental Airlines customarily adds special seasonal flights at that time. Intending to capture some of this business, NorthernStar also operates Cessna 208 Caravan flights into those airports.

If you should decide to take this challenge, you will take a Cessna Grand Caravan (there is a custom painted version of the MS default caravan to be found on the web site. You'd want the NSAC208US.zip file) for the 128 mile trip from Denver Intl (KDEN) to Aspen (KASE) departing at 1:00 pm (2000Z). Request 18,000 ft, and ATC control. Don't worry too much about the route; ATC will begin approach control not far out of Denver.

Here's the thing. If you get a Runway 31 approach, the terrain south of the field is very hilly. ATC will not be able to get you lower than about 12,000 ft, and you will have less than 10 miles to descend 6000 ft to the runway. I couldn't do it. The only logical thing to do is to level off at 9,000 ft approach altitude, and do a go-around for another try -- but, the airport is in a valley, and space is even more cramped south of the field. You will have to try to stay high to avoid the terrain, yet low to have a chance at making the final descent. You will be on manual stick the whole way. There's no way autopilot can help much with this, so you will have to feel comfortable handling the Cessna Caravan.

Unless you already have a lot of experience with the plane, you shouldn't be surprised if you can't do the approach the first time. A little familiarity with the terrain, the field, and the approach and descent profiles will help a great deal, and remember: Continental pilots do this with a 737, so don't complain.