Landing in a snowstorm at Aspen

Landing a CRJ 700 in a snowstorm down to about as close to minimums as one can get and still make it in. One trick to see the approach lights 3 miles out is to turn off the landing lights and strobes on your approach. That way you can see the runway lights better. When you are closer and landing is assured, turn them all back on to land.

[@DJSbros]

Seeing those runway lights peer through the clouds must be a great feeling.

[@davidkamerath7749]

He's lucky he got to see them so early lol

[@GloryFit]

David Kamerath read the description he explains what he did although yes with rougher conditions may have been a different scenario

[@TomCook-jw6ur]

DJSbros Trust me!

[@James-zu1ij]

There are lots of ground references the pilot will be well aware of

[@alexs3187]

@@James-zu1ij those are irrelevant in IFR. But if you don’t have the runway in sight at the MDA with minimum acceptable visibility, you have to go missed and that’s annoying.

[@silverdrillpickle7596]

Safest piece of equipment in the cockpit; a well trained crew. Thank you

[@satexman2585]

Safest piece of equipment ? Bad ass engineers and software coders. The CREW is the weakest link in that airplane. This isn't 1920 or 30 or 50 or 2000 even. Pilots will eventually 'go away'. Sad but true. Military planes have capabilities that would kill the pilot, for example. The engineering and capability of modern aircraft FAR exceeds that of the human in the cockpit. Not that far into the future you'll get on a private jet or airline, it will all be single pilot and eventually, zero pilot. That's a 'done deal'. Computers are better than humans in tasks like this. And...their judgement is 'consistantly' better. The engineering is FAR more impressive than the pilot. There won't even be air traffic controllers one day, again not too far into the future. This is one area of human endeavor that all along the line other than the the maintenance and service.....its100% unnecessary. And time will prove me right. Pilots are ...well not what pilots used to be for one, and they are simply ...not...necessary...or the ATC they talk to. Can you taxi an airplane ? BAM, 'you're a pilot'. That's what a pilot is now. An airplane driver. Even THAT can be automated. The BADASSES are the people who design and build those airplanes and all that goes into it and who's education FAR EXCEEDS those flying those planes. Pilots are bus drivers. Simple as that.

[@patriotsfan1236]

@@satexman2585 you either were bullied in high school or your pilot dad left your family when you were young LOL.

[@flyinghigh370]

Thanks for the comment. Aspen flying is unique and challenging, especially for the airlines. It's also some of the most professionally rewarding flying I've done.

[@michaelbridges2386]

My father is ifr certified and it always interested me.

[@seanfyodorovich5230]

Skill is the ability to make something that's very difficult look easy. This is a highly-skilled pilot.

[@nisargshukla]

It is a CAT III landing so its mostly AUTO LAND.

[@TheTriamigos]

@@nisargshukla This is a localizer approach. Aspen is one of the hardest places for a jet to land in the US. One way in, one way out, no autoland. Throw in snow and it is very tricky!

[@wmst5065]

Modern avionics do their part.

[@dianahewlett2520]

You gotta be shittin’ me. At least two minutes MVFR below the clouds and you call this challenging? Would love to know when he finally disengaged the AP.

[@PiperGames]

@@dianahewlett2520 at no point was that Marginal VFR, and he disconnected the autopilot at 53 seconds

[@hudsonriver3188]

My dear friends that was a Damn Fine Landing - hats off to that pilot -

[@johnnyappleseed5029]

My ass was puckered watching it on KZbin

[@alancampbell6474]

Hudson Riv

[@FikriKawakibi]

Hudson River considering the visibility yes it was...

[@Agha_786]

@@johnnyappleseed5029 1ag5gu4qoevwnydcyexhwcj

[@AbuBakar-zr8io]

سكس. امربكب. نكي

[@ronfillmore281]

Back in the winter of '72/73 I used to land at Aspen in a Twin Otter with Rocky Mountain Airways! Been a lot of improvements since then. We had no approach lights, no VASI lights, no center line lights! In fact, RMA installed their own runway lights before the winter was over, but sure not like these! They also installed their own microwave ILS landing system. Only RMA was authorized to use the runway lights and the ILS

[@scottmathews3777]

Great landing. I used to work for Aspen Airways back when we were still flying BAE-146s into ASE. Those approaches to minimums always produced some white-knuckle passengers, especially when we had to miss the approach and go back to Stapleton (which was often itself close to minimums in the winter.)

[@746768]

I had to like this video simply because of the weather conditions he was flying in. I've flown localizer approaches before but never in the mountains. And I have only had to do maybe a handful of instrument approaches in my life. To the pilot, you get a big BRAVO from me. You are good.

[@1450JackCade]

You watch these, and even being just a sim-driver, you've got to recognize how ridiculously good these folks are.

[@steveo1kinevo]

You know this is a hard approach when you are in training and the instructor says..."Lets see if you can do this one" in the full motion simulator.

[@byrongiraldo7663]

+steveo1kinevo Hey, i found you. xD

[@jonahrifkin6461]

i was just watching steveo

[@ld-ph8pq]

...and then he unzips his pants

[@lovelightshining4444]

So true. Mine always began saying, "it like painting a beautiful picture" tiny adjustments, lol When your 🦀 ing, into a 30mph crosswind with heavy rain. 😳🙄🥺😲😵

[@michaelking4762]

IFRall the way.

[@stag3t-muspsa910]

you pilots don't get enough credit for what u do ...thank you.

[@helpstopanimalabuse8153]

Perfectky said. They get paid well but they have a huge responsibility. Under appreciated.

[@Hyestar]

@Psychological Nudity LOL! :) Hats off to the flyboys! :)

[@Sykesee]

That was beautiful!! I'm such a rubbish flyer so have been watching difficult landings and the like in prep for a trip later this year... Vids like this are helping so much, you guys are amazing, it really is helping to settle the nerves! I'm actually starting to enjoy it to the point where I want to get up and give it a go!

[@RedOcktober]

thx for taking us along for the ride... nice approach and landing... --Mike

[@annnonymous9791]

FLYING HIGH 370: that was absolute perfection! I wish you were my pilot every time I had to fly. Very professional & talented Sir!

[@Anrboy]

the turn off the runway was the craziest part!

[@Joe-kk2xp]

That must feel weird not seeing the taxiway

[@upperleftcoastchelseafan7718]

Uh I don't know, I guess we take a left here somewhere, this spot looks as good as any.

[@jeffreyjhouser]

Wow, that was just about as smooth of an approach and landing as a sunny day in July! Good job, crew!

[@flyinghigh370]

The minimums for this approach are 2.75 miles and about 1000'. We hit the MDA at about 3.5 miles and when in the bottoms of the clouds and the snow turning the lights off helps a lot. When you are 3 miles out and have to make the go/no go decision the runway lights are very hard to find sometimes. The landing lights we have are good enough that it would wipe out the glow of the approach lights.

[@nisargshukla]

Was it a CAT III landing? I am sure it should be, looking at the conditions.

[@ALTFlying]

@@nisargshukla No, a Cat III landing refers to a Cat III ILS Approach where visibility is next to nothing and auto land is used. CRJ's can only do Cat II I believe anyway. This is a non-precision LOC/DME Approach. It also has much higher minimums as the poster has noted what they are. You can hear the autopilot disconnect shortly before the minimums callout.

[@karichiewilson]

Bravo! I've experienced many landings under ideal conditions that were nowhere near as smooth & beautiful as this one! 👍

[@jd-foo]

I have seen a million approach and landings, this one is probably my favorite, the view is just incredible.

[@flyinghigh370]

Javier D thank you! It is a challenging place to fly but rewarding. Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@snoobeagle]

Whew. I'm no hero, I'd have diverted to Cabo San Lucas :D

[@greenparadise9020]

Sorry, truly you are hero because of your courage

[@bjb7587]

Pina coladas!

[@noelphilips]

Awesome! Just love a good low-vis approach video!

[@saltan2]

Wow that's fantastic, nice job. I've re-watched it about 5 more times.

[@wendelallen2539]

Incredible landing! Easily as difficult as a night landing on an aircraft carrier under bad weather and pitching deck. My hat goes off to the amazing skill and professionalism of the pilots who landed in Aspen on that dark and snowy evening. And, BTW that runway looks about as slick as "deer guts on a polished brass doorknob"...again, great landing!

[@scotty3034]

Great landing skipper! Aspen- Pitkin County Airport is no joke. What the video doesn't quite show you because of the conditions....is how you are completely surrounded by terrain on all sides. No room for error.

[@guguigugu]

runway lights appear. literally one second later: MINIMUMS

[@HabuBeemer]

That's about as close as it gets.

[@gaflying3448]

awesome video. great landing. As a new pilot this is very exciting to watch.

[@tyork1540]

My beloved is a very experienced pilot. Watching this video and my heart is getting tight. My deepest respect to all pilots!

[@SlimJointJr]

I was testing my on-going DJ mix project and decided to watch your landing in the background;it sounded better with your video.Great job!

[@nicologarcia]

What a smooth landing! Awesome video. Missing Aspen so much!!

[@rockerchick4368]

TheNOGarcia , Me To

[@rockerchick4368]

I have to drive in , now a day's

[@brettoberry6795]

You are the BOSS! Very nice landing.

[@wayneblueheart2346]

i live here , it is an awesome sight to see these planes daily , taking off and landing !

[@mariobie]

Great stabilized approach and landing, Right down the center line and very smooth. Don't listen to Microsoft simulator flyers. They never leave the cave and always have a lot to say. May all your flights be great !

[@altafas65]

I have seen this video few years ago and it’s still my favorite.

[@Booboobear-eo4es]

As my flight instructor once told me - "the centerline is your friend."

[@Jarek_73]

Don´t women say the same at the beginning of a relationship?

[@rozalinenaskar6069]

@@Jarek_73 OP 😜👌

[@dylconnaway9976]

Exciting. Thank you for sharing this!

[@kennethsebring7694]

First time I saw this video, I was listening to Snow Patrol's "Shut Your Eyes." It just fit--song and video are almost exactly the same length. Now when I need to chill out, this video and that song are what I go to...

[@sridharmurthy1076]

Wow. Perfect landing in such adverse conditions. Full marks to the pilot, he made landing look so easy.

[@rjb073]

I had a similar experience landing in Chicago. Back in the early '90's, it was snowing to beat the band, around 20 degrees and winds were around 25 kts. gusting to 40 kts. It was also around 6:00 p.m, and already dark. We had just started our final when an announcement came over the radio and ACARS that all flights in and out of ORD were being temporarily suspended until further notice. Luckily, because we had started our final, we were given permission to land at our discretion. We were still able to use the ILS and also by keeping watch with what was going on visually, we were able to land without much difficulty. he main concern was sliding off the runway. As soon as we landed and were on the taxiway, the trucks were plowing and spreading salt. BTW, we didn't see the runway lights until the call out. It's like, "GD, there's gotta' be a runway somewhere down there."

[@SWToDi-qc8hb]

A well designed, well maintained & superior bright runway with a super experienced pilots staff for your safe & happy landing!

[@ianhamilton396]

that's some slick flying there Captain, nice one........

[@orangehoof]

I wonder if pilots every drive home from the airport and forget they aren't supposed to straddle the middle line?

[@calvinnickel9995]

No. We also don’t try and steer with our feet. Transitioning between different vehicle types is completely natural.

[@grahamkemp]

It’s a temptation if the centerline is lit.

[@ZorbaTheDutch]

Maybe if they drive a Reliant Robin...

[@johnwoody9505]

@@ZorbaTheDutch My father in law had a Reliant Robin many years ago He lived up in Lincolnshire and one winter they had tons of snow. Although he didn't go to in the Reliant during this winter, his son did. Many of the smaller roads hadn't been cleared and this resulted in two deep ruts being formed on these side roads. This wasn't a problem for a 4 wheeled car but the Reliant could only be driven with the front wheel in one of the ruts, this meant a difficult and unnerving drive, crabbing along at about 45 degrees from straight. At one of the big agricultural shows my father in law managed to roll the Robin in one of the temporary car parks on an adverse camber, it rolled over an ended up back on all 3 wheels much to the amusement for onlookers, not so good for the occupants who weren't strapped in. A friend of mine Mike had a van version, he had loosely place two supplemental seats in the back, these were not fastened to the bodywork. While he was on holiday with his wife and parents, he managed to roll it on a road at reasonable speed. This resulted in a few injuries to the people in the back who were rolled and shaken very badly. His wife sustained a broken ankle. The Reliant Robin, a cheap version of transport for someone with only a motorcycle licence, it came with a dangerous reputation though.

[@ZorbaTheDutch]

@@johnwoody9505 Thanks, great stories! Makes you wonder if it deserves to be called a 'car'.

[@exposingthedarknesswiththe9190]

*WOW!!* *HAT'S OFF TO THESE INCREDIBLE PILOTS...THEY ARE AMAZING!!*

[@smacfe]

Fantastic job. What you don't see in the video is the hill/mountain you fly over on final! Knowing its there and not seeing it gets the pucker factor up. Awesome! More... more!

[@theymusthatetesla3186]

Oh, that was lovely. These guys are the best!

[@rivco5008]

Thats amazing they made it look easy, cool & calm the whole way in.

[@mazinsafar]

In a weird way, this landing clip brought so much calm and serenity to me. Was it the whiteness of the snow, the calmness of the pilots, or the size of this airport? Probably all of the above lol. Regardless, thanks a mil for the clip.

[@Jkur2009]

Mazin Al-Sufyani it sure wasn’t the size of the airport because it is small. It’s also very sketchy because what you can’t see is that you’re below the tops of the mountains as you are approaching the airport. If you’re a passenger and you look out the side windows there’s several a few minutes where your looking at the side of a mountain and the airport itself is on the side of a mountain. Its just a very sketchy place.

[@npkrn6764]

Haha - I'm a Winter lover so I'll say it was the calm of the snow ❄️ at dusk/almost night. I'm sure it's tricky for the pilots, but a very beautiful scene to me for sure!

[@jamesallen9620]

Truely a great job.....I really like the light structure at this airport which is truely needed.

[@indridcold8433]

The most beautiful visual navigational beacons are definitely the landing lights of an airport. Sometimes I just watch landing after landing in storms, snow falls, night, sandstorms, and the such, from the pilot's point of view. It is so beautiful when the lights come into view. There is nothing more beautiful than seeing that through adverse weather conditions as the pilot is coming in for a landing.

[@Mr-kq8xs]

Still one of the better landings (POV) on KZbin.

[@ecl5]

Beautifully flown! I have done it VFR in an Eclipse Jet, but not in IMC. Well done! Made my pulse rate going up just watching!

[@whiplash8277]

Of all the pilot videos I watch, this is, without doubt, the smoothest landing I've ever seen. If I ever get rich and have a private jet, that dude or dudette is my pilot, regardless of cost!

[@flyinghigh370]

Thank you. We train very hard to make it look this smooth.

[@shrinivasthakur3702]

It must be a great relief to pilot,who was flying through darkness,to see the landing lights

[@matthewmoran7596]

I fly the rj9 on the east coast... nicely done. I saw the lights 3 seconds before minimums ;)

[@leifrudd8934]

wow could that be any better? you were just perfectly straight. great job pilot

[@jetjockfl5103]

Did that same approach two weeks ago, ALWAYS an interesting task.

[@philipmarq]

Probably one of the all time great feelings is to see the approach lights just as you hit minimums. All those years ago I was doing this and I still felt the thrill as I saw the lights and heard "minimum" called out in the video. :58

[@rookiepilot]

Wow! Great approach, as I read through the comments, just wanted to say two things. First I saw the lights about 2-2.5 servings prior to minimums callout. Secondly, in those conditions I'd have flown the VASI low also, every foot of concrete down there should be available for stopping. Going around because of a rejected landing would be a last option in my book.

[@dpm-jt8rj]

"Flying is the second greatest thrill to mankind. Landing is the first!"

[@ryanwilliams560]

dpm1982 bullit trains are better.

[@MrEeeaddict]

@@ryanwilliams560 not at all, no fun in those

[@zutrue]

Man, I have only tried this in the simulator. Great airmanship. Much respect.

[@MrOffshore]

I’ve seen a lot of landings...this one was excellent. Great job!!!

[@firepilot]

Wow... great video! I love ASE! Nice landing too!

[@chrissteer001]

I would imagine that the minimums that are being referred to here are the "secret approach minimums" that isn't available to the GA public, as all the approaches into ASPEN for Category C aircraft are around 2400 AGL.

[@christurner666]

Brilliant Video! Need more like this! Bad weather brings out the skill and training!

[@Nfarce]

Wow you weren't kidding. That is right on minimums at the callout when lights become visible. One of the most challenging airports to land at in the world. Seriously sketchy place to test the best of the pilots. Besides FSX, I've only done it on a CRJ-200 simulator with a line check captain friend in the right seat who programmed similar weather...was sweating after roll out, and I floated it some unlike sticking it here, heh. Also I can see how the landing lights would be a serious light refraction issue in these conditions...the sim doesn't replicate that. Good stuff!

[@Lokiwho]

That was a perfect landing if I've ever seen one, right on the money. Loved it

[@scottmathews3777]

I worked for Aspen Airways in the 1980s when we were flying BAE 146's in there. Passengers would bitch and moan when we cancelled flights because the airport was below our minimums, especially when Rocky Mountain Airways was still getting in with their Dash 7s. Wish I could have run this video on the luxury chartered buses we loaded them onto to finish their trips. HINT: if you want to ski in Aspen, it has to snow sometime!

[@matthewcrich5951]

Dash 7’s & 8’s are noisy, cold & have few creature comforts. But if I ever needed to fly in severe inclement weather, would be my first choice. Maybe only superseded by a Twin Otter

[@joshuabradshaw5270]

THAT WAS FUCKING IMPRESSIVE! FEELS GOOD TO AN AUTOMATED VOICE COUNT YOU DOWN RIGHT ON THE MARKS IN A SNOW STORM. DELICATE TOUCH WITH A LOT OF MACHINE. NICE WORK MAN

[@abhie700]

Just the best. Kudos Captain.

[@tectonicD]

That’s an intense approach even when you can actually see!

[@monolito]

great vid, great landing.

[@jjsifo1]

Good CRM , good approach = good landing, great job !!

[@pyro8455]

Flew into Vail, CO 30 yrs ago in conditions like that, minimums, snowing, icy runway , 60+ deg of flaps. Me being a Private Pilot, I almost left skid marks on that runway haha. Wild landing! Awesome!

[@jakeweston8616]

Amazing how they can do that in that kind of weather. Bravo

[@jeffreid7272]

Thank God for ILS.....

[@mapleleafdev]

beautiful landing

[@capnsean520]

Nice approach! Looking forward to flying to ASE in a couple of days. I miss the CRJ a bit. Can't stand the 200s, much, but those 700s... now, that's a different story! Great video!

[@MrRichie680]

Very smooth landing, good job Pilot!

[@SkyCrown614]

Smooth landing I have seen... :)

[@WelshWidgetMan2O1O]

Perfection.

[@OzcarMike641]

Weather was better then I was expecting. Great concentration and landing.

[@thomasnorthcastle4130]

I am so blown away by your skill. I am not a pilot... Yet. I will be going to pilot school in the next year and I can't wait!!! Ever since I was a very small child, I knew that some day I to would own and fly my own Gulfstream.

[@iflyhelis]

Crappy weather but great landing. Your turnout off the runway looked like you were going to help them do a little snowplowing for them. I can't believe it wasn't cleared for you.

[@216inka]

Amazing how fast he dropped altitude & made that landing!

[@n1lla]

Saw this looking up the 'snowstorm' achievement in Audio Surf. Awesome video!

[@johnmichael7983]

Pilots, thank you for the input - it's quite reassuring.

[@Ramp10er]

Great pilot!!! I would entrust my life on you...

[@clearjet]

Now that there was a beautiful thing.....

[@mikewilkins4804]

That approach was great. They had it down to 100 ft before they even hit the threshold...sure gave them a lot of runway...smooth landing too. Great clip!

[@madeleineusher7851]

So beautiful! Perfect.

[@jeffreylombardo782]

Two types of people we should be thankful for....doctors and pilots.

[@alterscathe]

Jeffrey Lombardo. and truckdrivers,if u have it,a truck brought it.

[@jeffreylombardo782]

Yes, I will amend my comment. Include Nurses on that list.

[@AroundSun]

and cops, love em or hate em, we need em...

[@dr.bimbambula]

and me

[@markhepworth1396]

Don't forget turnips!

[@faran1684]

Nice landing

[@jameswikstrom4174]

That was one of the nicest landings in bad weather with the airport close to mins.that I have had the pleasure of seeing. My compliments to the entire flight crew for an outstanding job! I had trouble seeing the taxiway when you exited the runway. Obviously, you are a very experienced flight crew to land at such a dangerous airport under extreme weather conditions!

[@flyinghigh370]

James Wikstrom thank you for the kind words sir!

[@azzym312]

Perfect approach and landing.

[@friedchicken1]

ASPEN! ..California!! nice!

[@moncorp1]

Where the beer flows like wine...

[@heyitsvos]

That John Denver was full of shit

[@offgridcabin1557]

Now I know why a pilots job is so stressful! But even in those conditions, that was a great landing. Very skilled pilots.

[@roehaus1]

GREASER! Nice job guys... looks like following that highway in for visual cues also is a big help.

[@jakethaxton2387]

Straight butter on the landing. Cheers!

[@joer3481]

I love smooth landings, and I let the pilots know...😎

[@robbieshaft]

Hmmm California, beautiful

[@AdamCanFly]

Ground contact is always nice. Great video!

[@teacheng3795]

I think that depends on how hard you are contacting the ground!! In my early light aircraft days I did a lot of quite hard 3 point landings until I learned to flare properly -they were quite hard enough for me.....................

[@mtnairpilot]

Great tip on turning off landing lights/strobes. Will incorporate. Thanks!