As part of its effort to reduce the number of general aviation accidents, the NTSB from time to time issues Safety Alerts aimed at general aviation pilots. One of its recent efforts is designed to convince pilots that specialized training is essential if you plan to venture above the mountains. The Safety Board begins the Safety Alert titled "Mastering Mountain Flying" by identifying three key factors which, it says, define the problem. First, pilots with limited or no training in mountain flying can be surprised about their aircraft's different performance at high-density altitude, often leading to serious or fatal accidents. Second, wind and other weather phenomena interacting with mountainous terrain often leads unsuspecting pilots into situations that are beyond their capabilities. Third, should a crash occur, a pilot who survives the crash but doesn't have emergency or survival gear immediately accessible may not survive the harsh environment until rescuers are able to reach the location.
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