Tips on Mountain Flying
Mountain operations
Tips on Mountain Flying
Practical advice and safety considerations for operating aircraft in mountainous terrain.
- Publication number
- FAA-P-8740-60
- Publisher
- Federal Aviation Administration
- Access
- Free official publication
- Best for
- Mountain operations
Purpose and audience
About this handbook
A concise FAA safety reference for density altitude, terrain, wind, route selection, and survival considerations in mountain flying.
Who should use it
Pilots, students, and instructors preparing for flight in or near mountainous terrain.
Key subjects
What you’ll learn
Density altitude and performance
Mountain winds and turbulence
Routes, passes, and terrain clearance
Weather, survival, and decision-making
Practical study
How to use it in training
Use it to structure a mountain-flight briefing, then obtain aircraft-specific performance data, current weather, local knowledge, and appropriate instruction.
- Set an objective. Choose the chapter or topic that supports the next lesson, task, or operating decision.
- Read actively. Mark definitions, diagrams, limitations, and questions to discuss with an instructor or qualified professional.
- Apply the material. Work a scenario, calculation, briefing, simulator exercise, or supervised practical task.
- Verify current information. Check regulations, official notices, charts, and approved aircraft or equipment documents.
Edition awareness
Revision and authority notes
This publication is introductory. Mountain flying demands current conditions, conservative performance margins, and specialized training.
Directory review date: August 1, 2026
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