Airparks: Grass or Paved

rvator51 · #1 11-18-2009, 05:02 PM

For you lucky guys/gals who get to live at an airpark with your RVs, which do you prefer: grass runways or paved runways and why do you prefer them?
It would seem a grass runway would require a lot of maintenance compared to a paved runway, but not sure if that is true.

Ron Lee · #2 11-18-2009, 05:12 PM

Paved. I have a 6A and am scared of dirt potholes/gophers, etc and tip over-tis on grass. Paved runways do not get soft after snow/rain.

hydroguy2 · #3 11-18-2009, 05:15 PM

I've had lots on both types of parks.

Grass is nice, but does require lots of maintenance to keep in shape. Water bills, mowers, weeds, gophers, people walking their dogs and horses on it. But something about it was pretty nice.

Paved is less daily maintenance, but there is still snow plowing, crack sealing, weeds along the edges, painting, kids drag racing on it, AND the big one is future repaving(try to get 25 people to set aside money for $$$ upkeep)

Michael White · #4 11-18-2009, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rvator51

For you lucky guys/gals who get to live at an airpark with your RVs, which do you prefer: grass runways or paved runways and why do you prefer them?
It would seem a grass runway would require a lot of maintenance compared to a paved runway, but not sure if that is true.

Yeah...like you're going to be able to find grass out there in the middle of Arizona????

Paul Thomas · #5 11-18-2009, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hydroguy2

I've had lots on both types of parks.

Grass is nice, but does require lots of maintenance to keep in shape. Water bills, mowers, weeds, gophers, people walking their dogs and horses on it. But something about it was pretty nice.

Paved is less daily maintenance, but there is still snow plowing, crack sealing, weeds along the edges, painting, kids drag racing on it, AND the big one is future repaving(try to get 25 people to set aside money for $$$ upkeep)

That's what reserves are for. The association bills the member every month and sets the money aside.

Martin Sutter · #6 11-18-2009, 06:54 PM

I prefer pavement. It is much better for all seasons and weather conditions. While some grass strips can be a joy to land on, most are not that smooth. A lot depends on the soil conditions and on the part of the country you are in. Here in Texas we have hot and dry summers and they are murder on grass strips unless they are irrigated. Our soils are not the best either and grasses tend to grow in clumps. I used to be based on a grass strip in northern New York many years ago and it was unusable for a good part of the year due to wet soil. During the spring thaw it turned into a quagmire. Somebody would always get on it to soon and leave deep ruts that hardened when it dried out.

Your airplane will also require more maintenance if you always fly off grass due to the added stress on the gear from the roughness and the sand and dirt that gets into the bearings and brakes. The only thing that will last longer are the tires. Taxiing thru grass on a nice dewy morning will leave your plane covered in bugs as soon as you as you start moving....Just my take on it!

Martin Sutter
building and flying RV's since 1988
EAA Technical Counselor

Louise Hose · #7 11-18-2009, 07:31 PM

....to live on a non-paved strip, in my opinion. So, we only considered paved airparks while looking for our next airpark home. And, I'm very glad that our present home is on a paved strip considering the frequent (and often heavy) rains and my lifestyle of flying commutes to work.

If I saw flying as a purely recreational pursuit, I might prefer the romance of flying off a grass strip.

rvator51 · #8 11-19-2009, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael White

Yeah...like you're going to be able to find grass out there in the middle of Arizona????

Hi Moose,
Good point! We own a lot at an airpark with a grass runway in TX. Interested in the pros/cons of a paved runway versus a grass runway since we fly a lot.

JonJay · #9 11-19-2009, 09:45 AM

Paved and parallel grass. Strictly speaking for RV's, the paved would be the obvious choice but they are expensive to install and you better have a pool in the HOA for repairs, sealing, and eventually repaving. As others have mentioned, grass is a maintenance issue. A properly maintained grass runway can be just as smooth, or almost, as a paved runway. I know several in the area that are well maintained and are very flyable even in the wettest of winters.
I do use the grass from time to time. Since it is directly aside and parallel to the paved, if I come in a bit too hot, I can slide over to the grass and it will arrest the landing much better than pavement. On our relatively short 2000' runway, that is a nice option to have.
Not related to RV's, I use the paved to take off with my Bucker, and the grass to land. Much easier on the old gear and less wear and tear.

bsacks05 · #10 11-19-2009, 10:03 AM

We are getting set to build an airpark home here in middle Georgia. Our lot sits adjacent to the 3000 ft turf runway. The runway is wide and flat and a joy to land on with no drainage issues. I fly a -9 and enjoy grass strips. The only times I don't like grass is if there are hills and undulations along the length.