You've only been here one month, and you're already implying that a longstanding member is either lying about his qualifications, or clueless about his area of professional expertise?
By the way, I recognize that the unique conditions in the Rocky Mountains may argue for procedures that differ from the rest of the country.
But it's okay for someone that's a longstanding member to attack, insult, and call a poster a liar that's only been here a month??
Did you even bother to read the thread??
Steve said I was wrong (I'm not) and when I asked him to tell me the answer, he wouldn't. So, three possibilities: he doesn't know the answer, he's being childish (I've got a secret and I ain't tell'n) which does no one any good here that would like to learn (this is an important question!!), or he found out that I'm right and he can't admit it.
Anyway, I figured what's going on here..
I came to this thread looking to talk to other pilots. Share experiences and ideas. Learn some of the new stuff. Help some of the students and low time pilots wanting to learn.
And, as is typical with most forums on the internet, you're attacked..
It really is sad..(must be some kind of territorial thing)
Anyway, I spent 27 years of flying single pilot. (20 of those years in King Airs) I was out almost everyday in the environment. You know, the REAL world.
So, you get into a discussion with someone that has never been there. This person flies a couple of times a month and maybe flies an IFR trip once or twice a year. He/she has never been on an approach to a mountain airport and missed, yet they're an expert on it.
Sure, you're supposed to have good radio on the MEA and at the MAF. In the REAL world?? A lot of times, it doesn't happen. (Ever have a controller give you lost comm instructions?? It happens all of the time around here. If radio is supposed to work on an airway at MEA, then why would they give it to you on a regular basis?? Oh yeah, the REAL world) or an alternate missed approach clearance?? Ever get either of those??
The worse part of this whole thing is when someone says you're wrong, they can't follow up with why.
I made phone calls to DEN ARTCC, Oak City, and DC looking for answers from the Feds. Did anyone else follow up?? Not that I could see.
Flying is a VERY dangerous activity and wrong information can get people killed. (Putting your alt route in your FP remarks may not get you killed, but other "advice" certainly can)
Aviation is full of incorrect info passed along from one gen to another. (two good examples are when to use carb heat and the definition on maneuvering speed)
So, I'm not going to get involved in heated topic discussions with someone that claims to know, but doesn't or hasn't done it, or simply doesn't know the answer. It's just a waste of time. I feel that anyone reading the thread can draw their own conclusions.
Final comment:
Filing for alternates comes from an era when radar coverage and radio communication was sparse and unreliable.
The intent was, if it's looks like you may have a problem getting in at your destination and you have to miss with lost comm, we EXPECT you to go to your alternate. (IFR is about EXPECTATIONS. I fact, I ran across one of Steve's posts from 2009 where he highlighted the VERY same comment!!) Because the airport at that time may have been non-radar, and separation was provided manually. Makes sense, huh?? Flying around in the Rockies 20-30 years ago was a lot like ARTCC in the 40's and 50's. Lots of lost comm and non-radar. You had to know your non-radar-lost comm procedures. Like position reports, etc
Have you ever actually planned the route to your alternate?? If no, why not?? You're supposed to plan your flight and it's a potential part of your flight. If you have to go there for whatever reason, are you going to figure it out at the MAF with your hands full?? That's not very good flight planning.
If you fly an airway to your alt, center will expect at the MEA, right??
WHY NOT put your alt route in remarks?? Would it hurt anything?? Heck no!!!! Could it maybe help in some way?? Heck yes!!!! The controllers I used to work with everyday liked it. That's good enough for me!! I really don't care what some Chicago controller thinks about it. It's irrelevant.
I think the way I do for a reason and it kept me alive for all of those years. Maybe someone else would like to know a little about how I did it.
And that's what flying should be about..
Yes, putting an alternate route in "Remarks" is clever. Yes, comms are dropped in certain areas even though they aren't supposed to be--even back East. Yes, certain prolific posters here and elsewhere are often wrong and they can be revealed. But you need to choose your battles!
You've got no idea.
