New Updates Display Mountain Passes So Everyone can Fly Like a Local

The FAA has added 2 mountain passes to the VFR charts in Northern Alaska, improving operational safety in the region amid a concerted agency effort to improve Alaskan aviation conditions. 

The new terrain identifies the Naqsralugiaq and Carter passes after consultation with local aviators, FAA personnel, and stakeholders in the area. The agency says that more than 60 mountain passes are charted, hopefully enhancing the situational awareness of pilots operating under visual flight rules, and offering them another, safer route. The Naqsralugiaq pass at 3,589 feet for example, lies to the East of Atigun Pass at 4,834 feet. With only a few miles, pilots can avail themselves of almost 1,250 feet of additional altitude they may not have otherwise known about. 

More charting improvements are inbound, say those within the project. The study completed last year to examine Alaska's biggest safety challenges has really borne fruit in 2022. Recently, the FAA sprung for 8 new AWOS stations in the region, further honing the most cost-effective, safety-enhancing tool at an aviator's disposal: Situational awareness. It's another example of a "back to basics" approach to safety - no tricks, no fancy new whiz-bang equipment trying to make a name for itself, just old-fashioned, intelligent airmanship. 

“For years, the safest routes through passes were known primarily to local pilots,” said FAA Administrator Steve Dickson. “Now, all pilots will have the critical terrain information they need to fly safely.”

The region is commonly cloudy and icy, forcing VFR aircraft down to lower altitudes. Mountain passes, when used correctly, can be a great help to aviators making the most of the performance at their disposal. Sadly, the exact passes can remain a locals-only affair, part of a verbal tradition that until now could only be extrapolated from elevation data. With the charting changes, pilots will be able to plan and fly more like a local, improving their safety margin. General aviation is the lifeblood of the state's economy, and every bit of know-how helps the mission for the fully loaded, underpowered aircraft waddling their way through the bush. 

FMI: www.faa.gov