Introduction  Safety Window  What is Mountain Flying?  Pilot Requirements  Rather than offer a definition of "mountain" flying, it should be  pointed out that many of the subjects discussed in this publication  can be found in nonmountainous areas or at low altitudes. For  example, density altitudes over 8.500 feet can be found regularly  on the eastern plains of Colorado in the summer. Also, dangerous  mechanical turbulence and even mountain wave can be found in  areas that aren’t usually considered mountainous. Of course,  places like the Rocky Mountains are-wllere all oflhese concepts  can be experienced first hand and you should have mastered them  before you attempt a flight through these areas.  Because of the more demanding nature of mountain flying, you  should carefully consider your experience and background before  beginning a flight into mountainous terrain. First,  it  is essential  that you consider attending a recognized mountain flying course to  give you the knowledge and skills you will need to be safe. There  are numerous recognized courses taught, usually in the summer  months. and you can contact an FAA Flight Standards District  Office in mountainous areas for references.  Second, itis usually a good idea to wait until you have at least ISO  hours of pilot in command time logged before taking mountain  training. Pilots with this amount of time have usually had time to  3  Mountain flying opens up new opportunities  for the general aviation pilot for unique and  interesting destinations, plus a view of spec› tacular scenery. However, mountain flying,  even more so than flight in the flatlands, is  very unforgiving of poor training and planning. There is a narrow  window of safety that an untrained pilot can easily stray out of  without the experience and knowledge gained from a recognized  training program and a mountain checkout by a qualified moun› tain flight instruclm: This publication is not intended to be a com› plete mountain flying training course. Instead, it can be used as an  overview before you take recognized training or a review after› ward. Recognized training for this type of flying is a must and you  are encouraged to attend a recognized mountai.n flying course that  includes adequate mountain ground and flight training. 