Airport comments for Valle d'Aosta, Italy

Comments 1 to 13 of 13

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Gh. del Furggen

ATTENTION THIS TRACK IS FOR EXPERIENCED MOUNTAIN RIDERS ONLY!!! MOUNTAIN PILOTS ONLY!!!!

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Gh. del M. Dolent

ATTENTION THIS TRACK IS FOR EXPERIENCED MOUNTAIN RIDERS ONLY!!! MOUNTAIN PILOTS ONLY!!!

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Gh. del Léchaud

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Gh. del Miravidi breul

ATTENTION THIS TRACK IS FOR EXPERIENCED MOUNTAIN RIDERS ONLY!!! MOUNTAIN PILOTS ONLY!!!!

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Gh. de la Sassiere

ATTENTION THIS TRACK IS FOR EXPERIENCED MOUNTAIN RIDERS ONLY!!! MOUNTAIN PILOTS ONLY!!!!

or little data about it, however I would like to point it out to you as a place known to many mountain pilots.

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Granta Pareì ghiacciaio

ATTENTION THIS TRACK IS FOR EXPERIENCED MOUNTAIN RIDERS ONLY!!! MOUNTAIN PILOTS ONLY!!!!

not have more information regard it but the place exist for moutain pilots

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Col di Rhémes

ATTENTION THIS TRACK IS FOR EXPERIENCED MOUNTAIN RIDERS ONLY!!! MOUNTAIN PILOTS ONLY!!!!

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Champillon altiporto

ATTENTION THIS TRACK IS FOR EXPERIENCED MOUNTAIN RIDERS ONLY!!! MOUNTAIN PILOTS ONLY!!!!

After the reconnaissance - observe the windsock located about 50 meters after the impact point - we line up (a good reference is the shelter) at about 7,700 ft and begin the approach.

The landing surface is immediately above the road, a basin is visible in summer a little lower and to the right of the runway head.

It is best to touch down with full flaps and not burn off the speed immediately, or it will be difficult to reach the top.

During takeoff, the slope of the runway allows you to take off even with heavy snow.

Located in the immediate vicinity (less than ten minutes of flight) of the Aosta airport, the Champillon field is easily accessible both in summer and winter.

Soon, a well-equipped refuge will also be open a few meters from the end of the "runway".

The only drawback is the relatively low exposure to the wind, a characteristic that makes it accessible almost always, favors the accumulation of a thick layer of snow that can make maneuvering on the ground difficult.

However, it is easy to predict that, with increasing attendance, the snow will soon be "beaten" if nothing else by the aircraft of the Aosta Aeroclub.

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Ghiacciaio del Lys

ATTENTION THIS TRACK IS FOR EXPERIENCED MOUNTAIN RIDERS ONLY!!! MOUNTAIN PILOTS ONLY!!!!

The Lys glacier, a stone's throw from the Capanna Regina Margherita on Monte Rosa, is today the highest point where you can place the skis of a Piper.

Landing at almost 4,200 meters is not very easy. The two big differences compared to lower altitudes are the performance of the plane, which is practically at its ceiling, and therefore unable to climb at the rates we are used to, and the wind, which however favorable the day, is to be considered practically always.

On the other hand, the advantages are the always good snow (it is difficult for the temperature to rise above zero by much even during the summer. I landed on the Lys on June 14, with a temperature a couple of degrees below zero, at 11 in the morning) and the possibility of landing and taking off in different directions.

Although it cannot be considered a rule to follow, I managed to land practically against the wind (red arrow) and take off with a crosswind (green arrow), basically using it to decrease the take-off speed and find myself off the ground almost immediately.When landing, it is best to stay high, aiming for the slight slope that is about a hundred meters below the hill.

In this way, there will still be a way to stop on the next slope, before the hill, on the ground you can maneuver easily and it will be possible to choose to take off even across the glacier, parallel to the Lyskamm ridge, in the case of a north wind.

Although with some difficulty, on the ground you can still speak to the Biella airport 123.050, while it is not possible to maintain contact with Aosta or Milan Information.

It would also be possible to land a little higher, in the pass between the Capanna Regina Margherita and the Punta Zumstein, but here we are already in Switzerland.

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Nevaio del Fallére altiporto

ATTENTION only practicable in winter.!!!!!!!!!

ATTENTION THIS TRACK IS FOR EXPERIENCED MOUNTAIN RIDERS ONLY!!! MOUNTAIN PILOTS ONLY!!!!

The Fallere snowfield is located about ten minutes' flight from Aosta, and is a rather large expanse, which, despite the limited slope, still allows flying away

In fact, even after what I have indicated as the end of the runway, it is possible to continue the take-off run for a long stretch.

Once you have identified the landing surface, reconnoitre at 7,800 ft.

Turn based on the height of Bocca France and then set the final.

You should be at 7,500 ft, just below the level of the crest of Bocca France, which passes you on the left.

The runway is very long, so it is not advisable to touch down too early; follow the slope and place your skis on the steepest section. Especially on the first landing, try to reduce the impact speed to a minimum and then taxi very carefully.

Even if there are no tracks already, try to land on the right side of the runway, as on the left side (the one downstream) towards the top you will encounter some rocks.

The Fallere is quite exposed to the wind, and therefore you will hardly find powdery or soft snow.

More commonly the ground will be crusty and partially frozen.

The accumulations of frozen snow could create problems: I recommend landing with caution, perhaps taking into account having to push the aircraft to reach the top of the runway, and therefore possibly destroying with "kicks" the piles of snow that could damage the landing gear during the take-off run.

During take-off you need to lift the aircraft by taking advantage of the slope of the ground which is greater in the very first stretch and then keep it a few centimetres from the ground, gaining speed.

Normally, however, long runs on the low-slope stretch are also possible, given that, as already mentioned, you will hardly find a "heavy" ground.

Given the relatively low altitude and the strong exposure to wind and sun, keep an eye on the thermometer.

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Ghiacciaio del Braoulé altiporto

ATTENTION THIS TRACK IS FOR EXPERIENCED MOUNTAIN RIDERS ONLY!!! MOUNTAIN PILOTS ONLY!!!!

The Broulé glacier is an excellent landing, presenting a slight slope around 10,000 feet, which ends (on landing) gradually increasing the slope (useful for losing speed).

At take-off it has a steep descent (unsuitable for landing) which easily allows you to leave the ground even if the snow is particularly "heavy".

It can be reached from Aosta by going up the Valpelline until passing the dam that forms Lake Place Moulin.

You climb up to 10,500 ft, climbing up the entire Valpelline until you turn near the Aosta Refuge, under the Tete Blanche, then descend on the opposite side maintaining 10,200 ft and turn, skimming the face of the Gran Vanna.

Skirt the walls that border the amphitheater and then line up for landing.

If there are no traces on the ground it is not easy to identify the point of impact.

By maintaining an altitude between 10,050 and 10,200 ft, however, you are sure to land either on the large slight slope (slope of 3/5%), or on the next slope (slope greater than 20%).

Whether you start from a slight slope or from a higher position, there will be no problems with take-off.

Be careful NOT to reach the top of the slope. The glacier immediately ends in a "hole", there is no flat space.

The Broulé glacier is bordered by rock walls that enclose it in a horseshoe shape, so it is very challenging to fly over it at low altitude to check the snow conditions.

Once the landing procedure has begun, you must land.

As always, but here more than in other places, it is necessary to ask expert pilots in the area for information on whether or not it is possible to land.

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Gh. del Mont Gelé

ATTENTION THIS TRACK IS FOR EXPERIENCED MOUNTAIN RIDERS ONLY!!! MOUNTAIN PILOTS ONLY!!!!

Recognition at 9,800 ft., cross the Mt. Gelé glacier and then turn aligned with the "runway".

You move away and then turn "based" more or less at 9,700 ft on Lake Benseya, (visible in late spring) near the Regondi bivouac.

Then set the descent parallel to the crest of Mt. Morion, to touch approximately 9,500 ft or slightly lower, depending on snow conditions.

In the afternoon, in winter, it is possible to use the shadow line cast on the snow by the Morion ridge as a reference.

Mt. Gelé is located practically opposite the surface of Champillon and a short distance, more or less at the same altitude, from the Brulé glacier.

You enter Valpelline, you "wander" to gain altitude and then you definitely aim for the clearly visible ridge that from Mt. Berrio goes to Clapier, to Morion and then "closes" on the Mt. Gelé glacier.

Given the altitude and the favorable exposure, this is one of the airfields that "maintains" the longest, still being practicable in late spring.

Wide and with a pronounced slope, it ends with a slight slope at around 9,600 ft. where it is possible to maneuver with some tranquility.

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Ghiacciaio del Ruter Altiporto

ATTENTION THIS TRACK IS FOR EXPERIENCED MOUNTAIN RIDERS ONLY!!! MOUNTAIN PILOTS ONLY!!!!

It can be reached by going up the Valgrisenche and climbing up to around 12,000 ft.

Once you reach Lake Beauregard, you turn north to pass the Testa del Rutor.

Carefully fly over the glacier several times to check the absence of crevasses, the wind conditions and, above all, the presence of ski mountaineers.

When you are sure you want to land, get on the ice, skimming the ridges of Flambeau, Doravidi and Chateau Blanch at around 11,000 ft.

Set the ending by taking the skiers' tracks as a reference (which are often the only thing visible in the dazzling white of the snow). Normally you can touch just before these and work off any excessive speed by heading towards Testa del Rutor (southern direction).

There is as much space to land as you want and therefore it will not be difficult to choose a route that does not bother hikers.

The important thing here is to reach the top of the glacier since the thin air at 3,300 meters will make it difficult for us to take off and we will need every meter of slope to remove our skis from the snow.

Before taking off, make sure that there are no ski mountaineers near the ideal take-off line.

Unfortunately, as often happens, from the cockpit of the plane stopped on the top of the glacier it is only possible to see the initial stretch of the take-off run.