N9373M

I was in Denver for a conference, and planned on doing some flying after "work". Went to Western Air Flight Academy @ KBJC to rent a 172. Top notch operation and a great CFI (thanks Lou!)

Observations:
I cruise between 6 and 8K back home in SC (go Cocks! Beat A&M). Airport elevation was 5600! We tried to make the flight to LXV, Leadville, CO with an elevation in excess of 9900 ft, but the wx was LIFR in the "passes". I learned how to lean for taxi, then lean for power prior to take off.

I was taken aback at how fast we seemed to be going on approaches, but I was hovering around 65 knots. Crappy landings ensued.

Another revelation was the availability of AWOS reporting in the mountain passes, not only at the airports.

We did fly up one canyon, used the rising air to get some altitude, turned a corner and flew out another canyon. Denver is flat to the East, but POW 14K+ mountains just to the West.

Great experience, wish I had more time to get to Leadville. You get a certificate for landing at the highest airport in the continental US.

ASaintBernard

When I flew at KLAR the things that stood out the most were when you firewall the power the plane sits still a lot longer before the takeoff roll and the ground speed is so fast on approach with DA over 10k.

N9373M

I also visited the Wings over Denver museum. Quite a variety of aircraft, and you can get up close. I was surprised they were not on "sticks", the tires were inflated and on the floor.

My biggest surprise was how large the 105 was.

some of the other a/c inside
F4
F104
F101
F102
F106
B1
F14
F100
F111
P80
F86
B57
A7
and a B52 outside on sticks.