Aspen, Colorado (KASE) has been a bucket list item of mine for many years. Surrounded by mountains, this airport features one-way in, one-way out operations, a steep 6.59 degree approach, and likely winter weather, this airport demands careful preparation and planning.
First sight of the Rockies
Approaching further just over Denver at this moment
Got lucky with the weather for the most part
Briefing the LOC-DME E on the G3000. Particular attention is paid to step-down altitudes and descent planning.
In a holding pattern over the mountains as we await our turn for the approach. Because ASE is a one-way airport, departures and arrivals face each other, requiring more separation that usual. Couple this with heavy traffic and you get delay vectors.
A steep approach truly catches you by surprise the first time you fly one. If you don't have your gear and flaps down, and speed on target by the time you hit final descent point, you're simply not going to have a stable approach
Typically busy GA ramp
It's a wrap!