Video: Pilatus landing at Courchevel

This is why you practice short field landings! Watch the ultimate ski trip in this fun flying video. The pilot loads up seven of his friends in a Pilatus, then takes off from his home airport’s grass runway (yes, in a 10,000 lb. airplane) and flies to Courchevel, a scenic ski resort in the French Alps. There’s a very convenient airport right on the side of the mountain, but it’s less than 1,800 feet long and has a stunning 18.6% gradient. No problem for the Pilatus, but the landing will make your pulse race.