Altiport

A altiport is an airfield in the high mountains. Since planes take off as far as possible against the wind and land, the start and runways of a normal airfield be used depending on the current wind direction. This is by Altiports geographic circumstances usually not possible because large increases or rock walls restrict the ex- or approach to one direction. Another reason for this limitation can be a strong gradient of the web that makes a start uphill or a downhill landing impossible.

In general Altiports place high demands on the pilot and the plane so that only specially trained pilots fly to these airports. A great danger is that a landing abort is not practical, as often no go- possibility. Since the start and runways are usually short, aircraft with STOL (Short Take- Off and Landing ) are used in the rule, which still have enough reserve also with a tailwind to take off and land to. An example of such an aircraft is the Twin Otter.

Known Altiports are in Lukla ( Tenzing Hillary Airport, Nepal), Courchevel and Megève ( both France).