How much runway do you need ?.

[Steve Barnes]

I have landed a Super Six several times on a 1300' strip @ 2500 msl and no problem... except the brake pads would not last very long if I did it all the time. Airspeed control on landing is critical and being able to hit the same spot on the runway all the time are both critical factors. And don't be afraid to go around if everything isn't perfect. I used to land at a friends farm with my RV4 solo on a 700' strip @ 100 msl. Just heavy brake useage again.

Steve

[f14av8r]

Originally Posted by Steve Barnes

I have landed a Super Six several times on a 1300' strip @ 2500 msl and no problem... except the brake pads would not last very long if I did it all the time. Airspeed control on landing is critical and being able to hit the same spot on the runway all the time are both critical factors. And don't be afraid to go around if everything isn't perfect. I used to land at a friends farm with my RV4 solo on a 700' strip @ 100 msl. Just heavy brake useage again.

Steve

Wow! Landing the RV-4 on 700', without an arresting cable! I'm impressed!

[Toobuilder]

People should keep in mind the OP flies a Pitts.

...I'm pretty sure he can get a RV to do what he asks.

[grubbat]

My strip is 74GA (1400ft) with 50 to 100ft trees both ends and I flew both an RV-3 and 160hp RV-6a routinely out of it. Here is youtube of one of those....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJP674OiJQ0&sns=em

It was hard on the nosewheel and if there was any tailwind with a wet surface, well, it was a fun ride. Missed approach time is limited so You have to be on your toes. Having your own strip is a dream and good luck with your project.

[Neal@F14]

I want minimum 1500' to land my RV6, especially if it's got a downhill slope to it. My home airport runway is 13/31 @ 3200 feet with a crossing 04/22 turf runway and paved taxiway exit at midfield, and 13 slopes downhill quite a bit. This makes landing on 31 a piece of cake since it rises uphill to meet the tires for a really easy touchdown if winds favor 31. When landing on runway 13, I am always down and slow enough to turn off at that 1600' midfield crossing without handing to abuse the brakes so 1500 would be enough.

Taking off, if I've got 500 feet of flat ground pointing into the wind without obstacles, both the RV6 and myself are happy. 1000' would make me even happier for takeoff.

Could I land it in 1000 if I had too? Sure, but only once! and then it would probably become the insurance company's plane.

[Snowflake]

My aircraft is an RV-6 taildragger, 160hp, fixed "vans" sensenich prop, 1066lb and I'm fairly proficient in flying it.

I have landed my -6 in under 1000' on a paved strip, when absolutely everything came together perfectly for me. I wasn't trying to land it short that day, it just happened to work out that way and I don't recall it needing a *lot* of brake. 150HP, fixed Sensenich, 999empty.

[jeffkersey]

It should be doable. I think you should go to a wide open paved field and make sure you are comfortable landing and taking off well short of the 1000ft touchdown marks consistently and confidently. That is what I did. Not a big deal in my 7A with 180ph. Slowly increase your weight and note the density alt and performance you are getting at those number. I have about 1150 useable and it is very doable though you have to be on A game. When in doubt, lay out... Power up and go around. There me be some days that aviation just says "no" and you should not flying or out of there....

This is where I have been operating. Take off the the west, land from the west...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrB2bhTmGxs

[Pittsartist]

Thanks for all the replies people. Taking it all on board I suppose it boils down to how small a margin for error you are willing to accept.

I have now made an offer for the farm and if it gets accepted I'm willing to give it a try. My RV has only been flying for a year, but I operate it out of 430m of grass with clear approaches quite happily at the moment so I suppose it's only a slight reduction in "margin".

Fingers crossed !

[Bill Boyd]

Originally Posted by jeffkersey

This is where I have been operating. Take off the the west, land from the west...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrB2bhTmGxs

Wow - you'd have another 200 feet of useable at the least if that tree weren't right there. I'm guessing the neighbor doesn't really like little airplanes?

-Stormy

[Infidel]

Originally Posted by jeffkersey

It should be doable. I think you should go to a wide open paved field and make sure you are comfortable landing and taking off well short of the 1000ft touchdown marks consistently and confidently. That is what I did. Not a big deal in my 7A with 180ph. Slowly increase your weight and note the density alt and performance you are getting at those number. I have about 1150 useable and it is very doable though you have to be on A game. When in doubt, lay out... Power up and go around. There me be some days that aviation just says "no" and you should not flying or out of there....

This is where I have been operating. Take off the the west, land from the west...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrB2bhTmGxs

Nice video. I think I would hire some nocturnal beavers and see about getting those trees removed. 😎 But I digress, slipping is so much fun!