grass airstrip question

GSchuld · #1 10-07-2008, 03:13 PM

I have been lurking for quite a while but this is my first post. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading the information/stories on this forum. I am not a pilot, but have always had significant interest in flying. A recent trip from NJ to Michican and back in a Beechcraft Bonanza with a pilot who graciously allowed me to fly his plane 90% of the time both ways has only served to increase my interest

. And yes, if the logistics work out, I am considering obtaining a PPL and building a plane.

As part of an investment property purchase, I now am the proud owner of an approved 1900ft grass airstrip in Rockingham Vermont. The strip is fairly level and has 30-40ft trees at one end and 10-15ft trees on the other. My main question would be what type of planes are suitable for such an airstrip. The seller only flew ultralights from the strip but had listed the possible future use of a Cessna 150 or 172 to the application for the creation of his airstrip.
I would assume that any manner of STOL aircraft would be comfortable there. Ultralights would be a given. I imagine the LSA type planes may have a reasonable chance? Would it be safe to assume that a higher performance plane such as an RV-3/4/6/7 etc. would be too difficult to operate safely from this feild without resorting to daredevil piloting skills? There is a possibility of being able to purchase the property bordering the 30-40ft tree end in order to clear that end of the runway to deck level. I imaging that would help quite a bit.
Depending on a few factors with the rest of the property, I would consider selling the airstrip portion to a pilot. Who knows. In the meantime, it would be great to get a good idea as to what could be safely flown from there.

George

n5lp · #2 10-07-2008, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GSchuld

...As part of an investment property purchase, I now am the proud owner of an approved 1900ft grass airstrip in Rockingham Vermont. The strip is fairly level and has 30-40ft trees at one end and 10-15ft trees on the other. My main question would be what type of planes are suitable for such an airstrip...

George, depending on the smoothness, that strip should be suitable for many small aircraft, including pretty much all RVs. There was a popular fly-in held for many years near Waco, Texas at a grass strip of that length, but about 500 feet lower, with trees at both ends and also a pretty good slope. Many different types of well flown airplanes operated off this strip, but I also saw an incident one year when an RV approached a bit fast and high.

Sid Lambert · #3 10-07-2008, 03:48 PM

1900' is adequate for the 3,4,6,7,8 & 9. The 10 and 12 I don't know about.

You could also operate a 172, especially the 180hp models. The basic point is that most any lightly loaded GA aircraft that you could operate on grass will work on 1900'. Even a Bonanza.

Make sure to have an instructor with you the first time you attempt it though.

dhall_polo · #4 10-07-2008, 03:50 PM

I've flown off a 2000' grass strip for years. About anything with pistons can operate off your 1900 feet of grass with attention to fuel and weight and technique. The RV's are not challenged with that much runway, well within safety envelope.

You're lucky. At least for the portion of the year that it's not frozen up there.

kentb · #5 10-07-2008, 04:19 PM

If the distance between the trees (almost 50 ft tall on one end) is only 1900 ft, that I would classify this as a challenging landing and takeoff.
Yes I think that it could be done, but not by every plane and certainly not every pilot.

I don't have my POH handy, but I think that the 50 ft clearance would be over 1000 ft, if you do everything right.

Kent

GSchuld · #6 10-07-2008, 04:29 PM

Interesting. Thanks for the thoughts. Most people that I have talked to mention concerns and difficulty with faster small low wing planes having "ground effect float issues". I figured taking off would not be much of a problem, more of the getting down and getting stopped kind of issue. Maybe I should give the grass a good fresh cut and invite someone to give it a try

. Unfortunately the house is totally empty and I life 300 miles away, otherwise I'd offer a place to stay. Anyone interested in "indoor camping"? All the utilities are on. There is a very nice bed and breakfast down the road as well. The airstrip is located at 24 Rocky Rd. Rockingham, VT. 43' 14'09.14" N 72' 32'23.45" W

The strip is not currently listed on any Vermont website that I am aware of, but it is there. The latest Googlemaps version is pretty impressive and gives a pretty good look at the strip.

George

Kyle Boatright · #7 10-07-2008, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GSchuld

Interesting. Thanks for the thoughts. Most people that I have talked to mention concerns and difficulty with faster small low wing planes having "ground effect float issues". I figured taking off would not be much of a problem, more of the getting down and getting stopped kind of issue. Maybe I should give the grass a good fresh cut and invite someone to give it a try

. Unfortunately the house is totally empty and I life 300 miles away, otherwise I'd offer a place to stay. Anyone interested in "indoor camping"? All the utilities are on. There is a very nice bed and breakfast down the road as well. The airstrip is located at 24 Rocky Rd. Rockingham, VT. 43' 14'09.14" N 72' 32'23.45" W

The strip is not currently listed on any Vermont website that I am aware of, but it is there. The latest Googlemaps version is pretty impressive and gives a pretty good look at the strip.

George

Low wings do magnify the impact of ground effect, but the factors that can harm an RV's short field performance are a high idle speed combined with a cruise pitched prop added to a too-fast approach on landing. IMO, a constant speed prop would be very helpful when operating out of the strip you describe. Yes, you can use the strip with a fixed pitch airplane, but the C/S prop will greatly reduce your takeoff/climb distance in addition to providing less thrust in the landing flare and roll-out.

Mike S · #8 10-07-2008, 04:39 PM

George, welcome to the active side of VAF.

Sorry I cant give you a ride, but what you are asking is certainly doable.

Just be prepared for the inevitable nosewheel/tailwheel banter.

Glad you came in out of the shadows.

N941WR · #9 10-07-2008, 05:08 PM

George,

There is a really good EAA chapter based in Old Bridge, http://www.eaa315.org/.

Contact them and see if someone there will give you a ride. That will give you an idea how little runway the RV's use, which is much less than your friend's Bonanza. (Ask for a ride in Claudio's RV-8, Purple Passion II.)

Grass strips are great but you have to keep them mowed and will probably want to roll it at least once a year. Long grass can lengthen your take off roll and shorten your landing roll. The rolling will help keep it smooth, which is a good thing. Come winter, you can have it plowed after the ground freezes and still use it. Of course it will be a bit slippery but nothing you can't handle with good piloting technique.

And welcome to the VAF forum.

GSchuld · #10 10-07-2008, 05:10 PM

Polo ...Yeah, the strip will be useless for atleast 4 months a year

.

Kent B ...Your response is what I was expecting really.

Kyle ...Good point about the C/S vs fixed prop, I have read the same point in other threads.

Mike S ...Thanks for the thoughts. And just for the record, I favor a 2 place side by side taildragger ...so flame away

George