Flying into an unfamiliar airport can be challenging, but a little prep goes a long way. Start with the basics: review the airport diagram to identify runway layout, hot spots, and taxi routes. Pay close attention to NOTAMs for runway closures or special procedures, and check for nearby terrain or obstacles—especially at non-towered or mountainous locations.
Use satellite imagery and tools like ForeFlight’s 3D preview to get a visual sense of the airport environment. This can help you spot unusual runway alignments, nearby highways, or terrain features that might influence your arrival.
For the arrival itself, choose the most stabilized and straightforward approach—often a standard traffic pattern or published instrument approach procedure. If it’s a non-towered airport, monitor CTAF well in advance and plan your entry with extra vigilance. And finally, brief your taxi route before landing to avoid surprises on the ground.
Unfamiliar doesn’t have to mean uncomfortable—preparation is the key.
