Snowdonia Mountain Flying Trip Report

Posted Tue, April 28, 2009

On 13th April 2009, three R22s and an R44 set off from Coventry Airport bound for the Caernarfon in Wales, where they would be based for three days for a Mountain Flying Course.

After a scenic trip across Warwickshire and Herefordshire, into Wales past Lake Vyrnwy and across a few mountain ranges, the sunshine welcomed the four aircraft as they touched down at Caernarfon Airport to pick up some fuel.

The Stables hotel, only a few minutes from Caernarfon was the perfect base - very helicopter friendly and with acres of land and comfortable accommodation.

After a long and enjoyable day flying around Snowdonia (and getting up to the top of Snowdon a darned site quicker than the hikers!), the instructors and students retired to the bar and later explored the town of Caernarfon.


From the cockpit of the R22...

The next morning came a ground school session at the hotel where all kinds of mountain flying techniques were discussed, followed by a day packed with flying ridges, learning about mountain winds and flying pinnacle approaches.

Some of the students had flown over but many drove to Carnaerfon to meet up and do and abbreviated course or just to get a "taste" of flying in the mountains. The scenery was stunning and the weather was great, which made all the difference.

The trip back was stunning. The helicopter crews decided to fly back via the coastal route, which was longer (and even longer with the strong headwind!) but exceptionally scenic. The route took the aircraft past Anglesea, along the coast of North Wales and past Chester, Stafford and Stoke, and South East back to Coventry.

The Mountain flying trip was a fantastic experience for everyone that took part and an exceptionally beneficial trip for developing advanced flying techniques.


Flying around Snowdonia in an R22

Have a look at our Mountain Flying photo gallery images to get a better appreciation of the stunning scenery, and if you missed this trip, be sure to keep checking the news to find out when the next one will be taking place!

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