Topflight Mountain / Mountain NVG Considerations Ground School

Professional Education Course (PEC)
Instructor: Samuel Howe

Price by Jan. 12: $490 Member | $720 Nonmember
Price after Jan. 12: $635 Member | $925 Nonmember

During this course, participants will learn about terrain airflow and the vertical component of wind; how to use the aircraft to determine the wind’s direction, strength, and vertical component; and high altitudes and aircraft performance. Techniques and procedures to aid in safe mountain flight will be the focus, with night-vision goggles (NVG) considerations covered throughout.

Learning Objectives: By the conclusion of the course, participants will have learned:

• Psychology of mountain flying
• Geography and structure of mountainous terrain
• Cause and effect of terrain airflow and how to:
  • Determine which type of airflow exists around mountainous terrain
  • Be more knowledgeable and consistent at basic wind finding, approaches, landings, and takeoffs
  • Cope with the effects of high altitudes and high-altitude airflow
  • Find wind direction over a landing zone
  • Choose a proper approach to a mountain landing zone
  • Make a proper departure from a mountain landing zone
  • Cope with illusion
  • Adapt the mountain recce to all forms of mountainous terrain
  • Significantly improve pilot decision-making
  • Become familiar with NVG mountain flying operations and considerations.

Instructor Bio

Samuel Howe is head of safety at Topflight. He received his commercial license in 2016 at Okanagan Mountain Helicopters after graduating from the University of British Columbia (UBC) in 2015 with a minor in economics and a major in operational management. During his education at UBC and Okanagan’s flight school, he acted as a fishing guide in Haida Gwaii, British Columbia, for six years. In 2017, he began his career in the Northwest Territories with Acasta Heliflight, where he flew mining and exploration work for three years. Samuel started instructing at Topflight in August 2020 and has excelled in mountain flying and NVG.