Episode
421 New Zealand Mountain Flying in a CTLS: Fiordland, Microlights, and Safety Lessons
- Published
- Jun 21, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 4183
- Processing state
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Summary
Max talks with New Zealand pilot Keith Froude during a scenic flight in Keith's Flight Design CTLS over Fiordland, one of the most dramatic flying environments in the world. Departing from a grass runway near Lake Te Anau, they discuss CTLS operations, RAANZ microlight flying, parachute-equipped aircraft, personal flotation gear, ADS-B, electronic flight bags, and the realities of flying a light aircraft among steep mountains, lakes, fog, and changing winds. The flight becomes a real-time lesson in conservative mountain flying. Keith explains why he climbs before crossing water, why he wants altitude before entering valleys, how local wind layers and morning heating can create bumps even early in the day, and why moving maps are so valuable in terrain where valleys and peaks can quickly look alike. Max and Keith also talk about local helicopter and floatplane traffic, avoiding the busy Milford Sound environment, the Manapouri power station, glowworm caves, Lake Te Anau, and the challenges of keeping a light, slippery CTLS under control on descent and landing. It is part travel adventure, part aircraft checkout, and part safety lesson for pilots who want to understand what flying in New Zealand's Fiordland is really like. Support the Show by buying a Lightspeed ANR Headsets Max has been using only Lightspeed headsets for nearly 25 years! I love their tradeup program that let's you trade in an older Lightspeed headset for a newer model. Start with one of the links below, and Lightspeed will pay a referral fee to support Aviation News Talk. Lightspeed Delta Zulu Headset $1299 NEW – Lightspeed Zulu 4 Headset $1099 Lightspeed Zulu 3 Headset $949 Lightspeed Sierra Headset $749 My Review on the Lightspeed Delta Zulu Send us your feedback or comments via email If you have a qu…