Grass Runway Improvement Update

David-aviator · #1 02-16-2010, 06:42 AM

Our 4 man committee submitted a report to the trustees of our air park last Sunday. The proposal is out of our hands and now in theirs.

This season has been very no good for flying off of turf and everyone around here is aware of it. I managed to get air borne 4 times this month but should not have been doing it as the surface was partially frozen and quite slippery. That's the problem, guys with very expensive 4 seat airplanes can not fly for weeks and the way the weather is treating us, it will be well into April until all frost is gone and moisture content down. The big, big problem here is soil content, it is clay, the worst for moisture absorption.

Anyway, we came up with a plan to have a parallel asphalt surface 2100'x25' and will preserve as much of the grass as possible for those who prefer flying off of it during the summer months. We also propose that the grass area be completely reworked with a road trimmer and reseeded as long as the equipment is on the property. The airport continental divide will be where the asphalt meets the turf so there will be a 1% slope each way for water run off. The transition from turf to grass will be as smooth as possible.

So far, there is positive feed back from property owners. We hope to have a public hearing on the improvement in April and will see where it goes from there. The contractor we recommend is A+ with the BBB. They build roads normally, so this will be a piece of cake for them. They have the equipment and know how to use it. There will be 8" of base over a fabric stabilizing material and 3" of surface after rolling.

For those considering such an improvement - total cost will be about $145,000 including the grass rework. We think it will enhance property value, improve safety and provide for more regular flight operations.

WingsOnWheels · #2 02-16-2010, 08:02 AM

Sounds like a worthwhile improvement. The cost is not nearly as high as I would have guessed.

Ron Lee · #3 02-16-2010, 10:15 AM

I would do a initial and life-cycle cost comparison with using concrete.

rvator51 · #4 02-16-2010, 10:51 AM

Hi Dave,
Hope you can get it passed. I brought up the subject regarding the grass strip at the airpark where we own a lot and was immediately subjected to hate mail from people who didnt want a paved runway for whatever reason and was told to sell my lot and buy elsewhere so if anyone wants a lot at Aeroestates airpark in Texas, let me know.

rocketbob · #5 02-16-2010, 11:00 AM

One can make pavement last 10x longer by simply brooming on portland cement onto asphalt and misting it with water to get it to cure. This is a trick I've seen pavers do doing driveways in FL. The cement will lighten up the pavement which keeps the temps down and also seals it. You will never have to seal it if you do this trick. From a distance it looks just like concrete.

WingsOnWheels · #6 02-16-2010, 12:40 PM

At least here in Texas, I can't see why anyone would rather have a turf runway over paved. The soil here is terrible and the weather all over the place. If you like to fly anytime other than summer, pavement is they way to go. Heck, I think my lawn has been soggy since September with no end in sight. I just don't see the attraction myself.

lancef53 · #7 02-16-2010, 06:57 PM

Do you have any pictures of the layout? Will each owner be responsible for taxiways or intersections?

Just for discussion, what type of base and how thick of pavement are you planning? Is the contractor local, or do they have to move in from a distance for just this job. Did they break down the bid to separate the grading and fill work from the actual paving? The price seems pretty good for a small project.

David-aviator · #8 02-16-2010, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lancef53

Do you have any pictures of the layout? Will each owner be responsible for taxiways or intersections?

Just for discussion, what type of base and how thick of pavement are you planning? Is the contractor local, or do they have to move in from a distance for just this job. Did they break down the bid to separate the grading and fill work from the actual paving? The price seems pretty good for a small project.

Here is the lay out, about 2100'x25'.
We deleted the taxi ways on the drawing to save money. We will use
airpark roads for taxi ways if the turf is too wet to get to the runway. The east end which is to the right will have a turn around.
The base is rock, the same stuff they use for roads, 8". The surface will be
3" after rolling.
It is a local contractor. The bid is broken down. We decided it was best to
have one contractor do the entire job.
The project will be off and running as soon as we get a 2/3rds majority voting yes and collect the money. Each lot will be assessed their share of the project.
We already share mowing around here, it is a good group of people and we get along well.

lancef53 · #9 02-16-2010, 08:36 PM

Cool layout!! How many are on the site now? It seems like it should work well, it is nice to be able to get along with the neighbors.

Sounds like a good plan, it is always nice to be able to use local people.

Tom Martin · #10 02-17-2010, 07:09 AM

Hopefully your contractor has included this, but if not make sure that subsurface drainage, tile, is added on both sides of the runway. This will greatly improve your grass strip as well. This will depend on the availabilty of an outlet but I note a road at one end and there may be a main drain there.