Originally Posted by
BoredwLife
Big pieces of limestone.
I think that the challenges imposed on pilot who flies in PNW and Alaska are some of the most severe found on the North American Continent. The combination of severe icing, turbulence, mountain flying, engine out procedures in and out of mountainous airports, the insanely rapid changes in conditions at destination airports due to coastal weather patterns, wind conditions in mountainous terrain. Add into it the enormous percentage of the year that these conditions present themselves. Many of these can be found elsewhere in the US including thunderstorms in the plain states, but in my experience the all of these conditions/situations in one place compounded by big rocks make experience obtained in rapid decision making and situational awareness all the more valuable.
I thought that the terrain might be why you considered it so. that is understood. I was solely thinking that if the approach in flown properly then whether the IMC is in the PNW or the Plains or SE - all turns out ok. If the approach is not flown properly - well - whether it be a big piece of limestone or a TV tower or whatever other obstruction is going to be a problem. The weather piece is another point. I agree that the percentage of weather related problems is probably pretty high in the PNW and Alasksa, but as you pointed out - those plains storms and the weather I have dealt with up and down the east coast are nothing to sneeze at either. In any case - thanks for the clarification.
USMCFLYR