Flying to Aspen has never been easier and is, by far, the quickest way to start your vacation. But, can you believe among all this excellence, we are home to the most dangerous airport in the United States with 50 crashes in 55 years of aircraft coming and going from our airport. The airport needed to be built on permafrost with the runway insulated against the ground so it will not melt during the summer. Executive Administrative Assistant Colorado Mountain College Aspen & Carbondale Please go to: www.coloradomtn.edu/employment for more information. At one end of the runway is a mountain wall and the other end is a dramatic 2,000-foot plunge into the valley. I applaud the many talented pilots out there who make these successful landings every day. } Aspen Airport: pretty in summer and potentially dangerous in winter. Responsible for overseeing a variety of efforts in support of various aspects, Full-Time (5 days per week 8 hour shifts morning and/or afternoon shifts) at Colorado Rocky Mountain School. The strong winds are the most threatening element to landing on the 6,000-foot runway. Don't count on these folks to be in a good mood. It doesnt help it makes some of the most dangerous airports list. Aspen-Pitkin county / Sardy Field in Colorado is listed as one of America's most dangerous airports. Catalina Airport has an altitude of 1,602 feet, dubbing it the Airport in the Sky, and is known to have downdrafts and turbulence on approach. Engineers had to build a platform to expand this runway, where the landing stripis located between steep cliffs and the ocean. "This is likely due to the fact that the airport, which is wedged between two mountains, requires a swift descent at high altitude.". Whether it's because of an always congested airspace, a too-short landing strip, or simply the fact that it's in the middle of nowhere, there are certain acronyms (hint: "LGA") that pilots simply dread. 0233 E. Airport Rd. It landed in the second spot on Honeywell's list. if( navigator.sendBeacon ) { Sometimes there is no electric power at the airport and the pilots need to be in constant communication with the air controllers throughout the landing. General aviation services are provided by Atlantic Aviation, the airport's sole fixed-base operator. Other dangerous airport landings not included in this list include; Alexandros Papadiamantis airport on the Greek island of Skiathos, MCAS Futenma in Okinawa, Damascus International Airport, Aspen . Airport operations staff operates from the airport's Operations Center, constructed in 2006 on the west side of the airport. Parking is not allowed in front of Aspens airport terminal.[7]. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking news? Aspen/Pitkin County Airport, Aspen, Colo. Every winter, snow bums and bunnies head out to Aspen to hit the mountains, but be warned when touching down at this snowy airport. This is a BETA experience. Not simply reachable by dramatic and carefully orchestrated landings, these airports are located in some of the most beautiful and often remote areas on the planet. Swipe is only available in chrome dev tools mobile mode. He is the proud dad of teen daughters. Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport, Sitka, Alaska. Today, I would vote no. January 5 crash of a Bombardier Challenger 601-3R, Airlines Fight New Flight Caps at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, Pilatus Aircraft's Deliveries Fall in 2022, but Revenues Rise, AINsight: Putting Market Change into Perspective, P&WC Fielding Improved Engine Support Offerings, Republicans Urge Biden To Withdraw FAA Nomination, BBGA: Bizav Must Fight Back Against Misinformation, A modest proposal to boost general aviation, FAA Should Use Its Nuclear Option To Save Americas Airports, Analyzing the GAMA 1Q10 aircraft delivery numbers, Mid-Year Aerospace & Air Transport Report. They'll ask for a soda from a flight attendant then put it in their bag and immediately demand another one. The 6,500-foot runway only allows for arrivals and departures during the daytime. According to Honeywell, pilots can always count on serious tailwinds as they approach San Diego International Airport, and terrain issues as they land. McBride cited the same disadvantages as above: the Aspen airport is sandwiched between mountain ridges at the end of a mountain valley with no option to lengthen the current runway; the airport is prone to harsh winter weather that often cancels flights and forces diversions; the airport operates with takeoffs and landings in opposite directions, a prescription for danger. ", Perhaps worse than crying kids are entitled rich people, and pilots get plenty of those in this destination for the wealthy. "Cancellations and delays everywhere. Email resume to: samantha@cprestaurants.com or, The Aspen Institute is a global nonprofit organization committed to realizing a free, just, and equitable society. I called runway twelve oclock. The captain answered, Going visual. He went off the gauges and looked up out in front of the windscreen, straight ahead and said, Wheres the runway. I leaned forward and with my index finger pointed down and said Right there. He commented, Oh shit! But fear not, fruity drinks with umbrellas are waiting to relax your nerves once you touchdown! Reagan National sits between two overlapping no-fly zones, so pilots have to watch out for the Pentagon and CIA headquarters. Per Title X of the Pitkin County Code, the airport has several unique operating limitations. Toncontin International Airport in Tegucigalpa, Honduras (ORLANDO SIERRA/AFP/Getty Images). . Tenzing-Hillary Airport. Paul Andersen. We recommend our users to update the browser. The destination is particularly treacherous due to strong and highly variable Atlantic winds, mountains on one side and the ocean on the other. And dont forget that the runway was extended from 5,249 feet to 9, 124 feet by building it out into the ocean on 180 concrete pillars it is now like a runway on stilts! The terrain, the weather . Just in time for summer, one of the busiest flying seasons of the year, Airfarewatchdog.com, part of the Smarter Travel Media Network, has released its picks for the scariest airports in the United States. Aspen/Pitkin Co. Airport/Sardy Field covers an area of 573 acres (232 ha) at an elevation of 7,820 feet (2,384 m) above mean sea level. Airport Guide. Additionally, the runway drops off so much on both sides that pilots at one end of it can't see planes at the other. Because of this dangerous environment the airport must not operate at night. The Aspen/Pitkin County airport terminal is a 44,000 square feet (4,100m2) single floor facility, which has undergone several renovations since its original construction in 1976. Tellurides Regional Airport sits over 9,000 feet above sea level, making it the highest commercial airport in North America. Nowhere else on earth does a pilot have to contend with the mix of factors that exist at this dangerous airport. 1. No thank you! In addition to regular service from Denver, Aspen sees more than 20 flights a week from Chicago and Los Angeles.[4]. hello, today we are plane spotting at the DANGEROUS AIRPORT of Aspen Regional Airport!Aspen airport is located in a valley so there is always high winds. And it's surrounded by mountainous terrain. Vehicles are made to stop every time an aircraft lands or takes off. https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/2014-02-03/pilots-address-hazards-aspen-arrival. This airport is thought to be one of the most dangerous in the United States because it is in a very dangerous area. . Of course, this is the reason why the No. In a 2017 study conducted by Honeywell Aerospace, drawing on data from its team of test pilots and the larger pilot community, this airport was named as the number-one worst airport to fly into. 2023 ABC News Internet Ventures. ASPEN Pilots will tell you that flying into and out of Aspen can be dangerous and so does the data. Not surprisingly, another Colorado Rocky Mountain airport is ranked as one of the most dangerous. Telluride Regional Airport, Telluride, Colo. The January 5 crash of a Bombardier Challenger 601-3R during the crew's second attempted landing at Aspen Pitkin County. This is likely due to the fact that the airport, which is wedged between two mountains, requires a swift descent at high altitude.. } else { Aspen/Pitkin County Airport, ASE They built a series of platforms on an artificial island extending from the current runway. Since its founding, The Town of Carbondale is accepting applications for our Parks Department temporary/seasonal positions. Aspen-Pitkin County Airport; Aspen, CO. Shutterstock. The airport's operations department is responsible for daily compliance with FAA Part 139, including daily airport safety inspections, rules and regulations enforcement, and aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF). Pilots must be certified to land in Aspen. The one-way landing has to be very fast since the end of the runway has a cliff with a very steep fall into the waters below. The FAA has installed an FAA Weather Camera in addition to the Automated surface observing system (ASOS) available to help pilots determine the weather conditions at Aspen airport and the surrounding area.[8]. The only game in town was to descend to 16,000 and when you arrived over SKIER, you either had a good visual on the airport or you started holding and requested clearance to your alternate. CRJ-700 jets operated by commercial airlines receive new passengers at the Aspen-Pitkin County Airport earlier this week. We have a record of tragedy second to none. The highest commercial airport in the United States, its runway sits on a plateau above the San Miguel River and dips in the middle. Now I see there is no plan for a west side taxiway, but instead, a midfield crossing. What makes the picturesque Princess Juliana Airport dangerous isnt the sunbathers below on the beach but the technically-too-short 7,100-foot runway originally built for the smaller planes that once frequented the island before the tourism boom arrived. With mountains to the north and east, Mexican airspace to the south and strong tailwinds blowing in from the west, pilots better watch out. All the operators AIN spoke to have a policy that prohibits them from conducting night operations at Aspen. Somehow there has never been a major accident.Find out about the little-known airplane feature that could save your life. It's no wonder: The airport sits in a high mountain bowl that requires a series of rapid "step-downs" as soon as the pilot clears the mountain range, dropping around 2,400 feet in one minute. if( 'moc.enilnoefiltseb' !== location.hostname.split('').reverse().join('') ) { No worries though. All Rights Reserved. Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (IATA: ASE, ICAO: KASE, FAA LID: ASE), also known as Sardy Field, is a county-owned public-use airport located three nautical miles (6 km) northwest of the central business district of Aspen, in Pitkin County, Colorado, United States. Today's Video: Big Jets At Aspen Airport - The Most Dangerous Airport In America? Large flocks of birds also live close to the airport and are frequently spotted in the skies. Subscribe for more Even on a. Two days ago, 200 flights cancelled for a bit of wind. And on takeoff, pilots must ascend quickly and sharply turn left so they don't fly over the White House. This project was completed on November 2, 2011.[5]. Letter to the Editor Letter-to-the-editor | Sep 9, 2020. This military base is the only main airport on the continent, and during the winter the area is dark 24 hours a day. Aspen has some of the best care for ski mountains and skiing in the world, some of the best cross-country skiing and hiking trails, world-class music, the Aspen Institute, and award-winning hotels and restaurants. This can lead to occasional delays, cancellations, and weight restrictions depending on wind strength and direction. Under the direction of, Hiring Assistant Manager. Aspen's airport has reopened Saturday afternoon following an hour-long closure after a private plane had a "hard landing," an airport official said. Reagan National Airport, Washington, D.C. Pilots have to be especially skilled to fly into this difficult airport. As a pilot speaking to AOL Travel explained, "We've had kids on airplanes who are all excited about where they are going. ASE provides a variety of ground transportation options connecting the airport to all local destinations. In 2011 this runway was . There are huge cliffs at both ends of the airports single runway, and strong mountain winds in the cold of winter, all serving to make landing an airplane in Telluride a dangerous proposition for even experienced pilots. In a 2017 study conducted by Honeywell Aerospace, drawing on data from its team of test pilots and the larger pilot community, this airport was named as the number-one worst airport to fly into. CRMS offers. 2022 Galvanized Media. The stunning scenery, (pun intended), the ski slopes and the relaxed feel of the .