Learning airstrip evaluations

One of the things we're learning in this Advanced Mountain flying phase are Airstrip Evaluations. Missionary pilots often have to evaluations of Airstrips that have just been opened or have not been used in a while. Since it is so hard to get into the area by foot or automobile (hence the need for missionary aviation). The pilot has to make a determination from the airwhether the runway is safe to land and take-off on. Here are some of the things we look at during an airstrip evaluation.

Wind- Where is the wind coming from

Length- how long is the runway (how many seconds does it take to fly over @ 80mph)

Altitude-how high above sea-level is the runway (is one side higher than the other? =slope)

Slope- do you land uphill or downhill. Usually we try to land uphill and takeoff downhill.

Surface- is it muddy? are there sharp rocks? big bumps?

Obstacles- Are there big trees on the ends? Mountains?

We will circle the airport starting at ahigh level. then at a medium hight and then low over the ground, each time evaluating several of the above criteria making sure it is safe to go lower. The video below shows a low pass downslope at an airstrip in Idaho that has a curve in the middle.