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  #1  
Old 10-27-2010, 06:20 AM
Camillo Camillo is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Roma, Italy
Posts: 510
Default Minimum safe runway length

I am based in an airstrip 50 minutes far from home (2300' long).

I was offered to buy a share on a field with a 1500' runway, closer to my home.

Both are grass.

I was wondering if with an RV9A the shorter runway would be a problem or if with a few hours (i.e.: approx. 20 hours) one can safely land.

I understand that this depends on personal skills (I have 250 hours on GA airplanes on complex), but for a medium skilled pilot would this be a problem?

Thanks.
Camillo
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RV4 IO-320, Catto 3-blade, Christen, I-BILT
Flight time: 1 hour
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---
RV9A O-320 D1A, Hartzell C/S prop, slider, I-PRCA
Flight time: 350 hours
Status: SOLD
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Last edited by Mel : 10-27-2010 at 06:40 AM.
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  #2  
Old 10-27-2010, 06:39 AM
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Mel Mel is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Dallas area
Posts: 10,768
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It depends on a lot of things. I've been flying my -6 off a 1500' strip here in Texas for over 15 years. Initially with a "tired" 150 hp engine and wood prop and grass. But I have clear approaches at both ends. Now even with asphalt many RV pilots still won't come in here. It has mostly to do with your skills and comfort level. Another factor is runway orientation. Sometimes a strong crosswind can really be a problem.
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  #3  
Old 10-27-2010, 06:40 AM
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apkp777 apkp777 is offline
 
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Location: Schaumburg, IL
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1500 is plenty, provided that you don't have to clear any obstacles on the approach end. Still, you probably would do well with the C/S prop. The -9, as you know, likes to float. You just have to pay attention to approach speeds and you'll have no trouble at all.
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  #4  
Old 10-27-2010, 06:46 AM
DEWATSON DEWATSON is offline
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Quincy, Florida
Posts: 680
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Camillo,

I'll probably get flamed for my opinion, so you take it as such....only my opinion. It is worth what you paid for it. NOTHING!!!!

Unless you are a truly aggressive pilot that has practiced and learned everything about your airplane, you probably ought to stay on the longer runway for a while. Take your airplane up and learn the lower end of the slow flight envelope very well. Mark a 1500 foot distance on the 2300 foot strip and practice safely landing many, many times within that 1500 foot mark before you go try it on the "real thing". Practice the 1500 foot landings in all wind conditions and be very comfortable landing there within the 1500 foot mark. There is going to be less room for error at the shorter strip and the 50 minute drive to the 2300 foot strip will seem very inexpensive once you've wadded your airplane up in a ball. If you understand your airplane and can wear it like a glove, you can operate out of the 1500 foot strip without any problems. Learn your airplane well and then make the move. Good luck.

David Watson
49FD
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  #5  
Old 10-27-2010, 06:52 AM
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apkp777 apkp777 is offline
 
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Location: Schaumburg, IL
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DEWATSON View Post
Camillo,

I'll probably get flamed for my opinion, so you take it as such....only my opinion. It is worth what you paid for it. NOTHING!!!!

Unless you are a truly aggressive pilot that has practiced and learned everything about your airplane, you probably ought to stay on the longer runway for a while. Take your airplane up and learn the lower end of the slow flight envelope very well. Mark a 1500 foot distance on the 2300 foot strip and practice safely landing many, many times within that 1500 foot mark before you go try it on the "real thing". Practice the 1500 foot landings in all wind conditions and be very comfortable landing there within the 1500 foot mark. There is going to be less room for error at the shorter strip and the 50 minute drive to the 2300 foot strip will seem very inexpensive once you've wadded your airplane up in a ball. If you understand your airplane and can wear it like a glove, you can operate out of the 1500 foot strip without any problems. Learn your airplane well and then make the move. Good luck.

David Watson
49FD
That's perfect advice! One thing for sure, when you are landing at a 1500' runway, it's going to look really, really short when you are at pattern altitude.
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  #6  
Old 10-27-2010, 07:12 AM
1Oldguy 1Oldguy is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Guthrie Oklahoma
Posts: 65
Default 1500'

David Watson is on the money, great words of wisdon. What's the saying, "there are old pilots and there are bold pilots but there are no old bold pilots". Use common sense and do not try to "mess with mother nature" she will win in the end...
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  #7  
Old 10-27-2010, 07:22 AM
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John Clark John Clark is offline
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Santa Barbara, CA
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Default No flames

Quote:
Originally Posted by DEWATSON View Post
Camillo,

I'll probably get flamed for my opinion, so you take it as such....only my opinion. It is worth what you paid for it. NOTHING!!!!

Unless you are a truly aggressive pilot that has practiced and learned everything about your airplane, you probably ought to stay on the longer runway for a while. Take your airplane up and learn the lower end of the slow flight envelope very well. Mark a 1500 foot distance on the 2300 foot strip and practice safely landing many, many times within that 1500 foot mark before you go try it on the "real thing". Practice the 1500 foot landings in all wind conditions and be very comfortable landing there within the 1500 foot mark. There is going to be less room for error at the shorter strip and the 50 minute drive to the 2300 foot strip will seem very inexpensive once you've wadded your airplane up in a ball. If you understand your airplane and can wear it like a glove, you can operate out of the 1500 foot strip without any problems. Learn your airplane well and then make the move. Good luck.

David Watson
49FD
I agree with David, but want to add two words, density altitude. I don't know the elevation or summer temperatures at the field in question but remember that temperature above "standard" can triple takeoff and landing distance. An extreme example, but departing Ironflight's recent birthday bash, I calculated my takeoff distance to be right at 1500 feet at a density altitude of 9000 feet.

John Clark ATP, CFI
FAA FAAST Team Member
EAA Flight Advisor
RV8 N18U "Sunshine"
KSBA
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  #8  
Old 10-27-2010, 07:41 AM
Steve Sampson Steve Sampson is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: N. Yorkshire, England
Posts: 1,050
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I operated a -9a with a C/S prop of of 1020' quite succesfully (except when it was soft). You can see it here.
You need to know what an aiming point is, and be able to control the speed accurately. Now its the home of my -4. You also need to know when to throw it away, though I have only gone around twice in the -4 and never in the -9a. Both times because of the prevailing cross wind.

'Circuits' below my signature will let you approach in the -4 and on the link above ( You can see it here.) there is an approach in a Supercub. The landing distance per spec is 425' for the -4 and 450' for the -9a at gross. I cant achieve those numbers but I put that down to turbulance in the last 200 yards before the fence.

One thing, DONT try doing it 'til you KNOW you can get it down in the required distance with a reasonable margin at another location with a similar layout.

If it is close to home its a no brainer, but learn first! Altitude and density altitude are of course crucial, see the post below. I am at 140 ASL.
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G-IKON Build log here , or Index to blog here.
RV4 #4478 - Flying since 16th June '08. First flight video here.
Circuits at my 1000' strip.
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  #9  
Old 10-27-2010, 12:10 PM
tdhanson tdhanson is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 92
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What's the TFFMMIHHC for? I'm assuming an acronym for some runup checklist? It's in the video on the Circuits link.
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  #10  
Old 10-27-2010, 12:19 PM
Steve Sampson Steve Sampson is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: N. Yorkshire, England
Posts: 1,050
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Trim
Fuel
Flaps
Mixture
Mags
Instruments
Hatches
Harnesses
Controls

and you didn't ask, but for 2nd subsequent flights aerotowing, just the first four.
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G-IKON Build log here , or Index to blog here.
RV4 #4478 - Flying since 16th June '08. First flight video here.
Circuits at my 1000' strip.
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