pastranafan5
Active Member
What is the shortest runway you would feel comfortable operating out of? Is 1000 feet too short?
Too many variables to provide a blanket answer to your question - obstructions, trees, elevation, slope, pilot experience, go around options, over-run conditions, comfort level, etc. It's an individual limit. It doesn't matter what anyone else is comfortable with, but plenty would be fine landing an RV on 1000' of runway assuming clear approaches and go around options. Others would not.
It's clear on one end with trees on the other. I would plan on just going around if I missed my touchdown spot. I was comfortable when I was training in a 152 landing on the numbers. I have 240 hours, mostly in the 152. My plane isn't built yet so I have no comfort level yet. I'm going to take transition training so hopefully I will have my comfort level before I get in it. Am I building a death trap, lol?
Thanks for all of the responses. So is the 500 foot landing roll listed on Van's website wishful thinking, or is that about right? Also, all of my flight test hours will be at a paved strip, so I would have time to practice. I'm thinking long term for building the strip. I just want to know if it's worth the investment of building it.
Thanks for all of the responses. So is the 500 foot landing roll listed on Van's website wishful thinking, or is that about right?
You guys can have it! I come home to a lit, well paved, 6500x150 runway and a control tower.
1900x40 is my record with big power lines on one end, and water off both ends. Airplane did it no problem but dealing with that every day would get really old.
I'd be comfortable with 1000' unobstructed for takeoff but for landing, I'd want double that.
Since no-one has mentioned it.....are you planning a climb prop or C/S? ....
I think you will be very silly to jump into the RV after a 152 and think you can handle it straight off the bat.
Maybe have a look at this video, excelent approach, great touchdown, and bearly made it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZThhf9-98Y
... Here is a video of RV-6a taking off and then landing on my field.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eJP674OiJQ0...
... excellent approach, great touchdown, and barely made it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZThhf9-98Y
I was planning on a constant speed prop with a 180 hp engine. I was figuring if I missed my landing point I would just throttle up and go around. The video has me a little confused. If that's a 1000 foot strip and he touches down at the beginning, why does it take him 1000 feet to stop? It seems like he was just trying to scare his passenger.
Congratulations! At 5:35 your camera is almost perfectly aligned with the two orange cones on your airfield. Not sure if that was intentional, but when I saw them, I thought, "What was that?"
... Below is a link to my RV-9A practice field. I take off and land regularly at this field in an attempt to stay sharp with short field operations.
Alan,
this looks like a model airplane field, do you really land here in a "full sized" 9A or are you joking?
...Yes! But this is my short field limit on purpose. Low weight, low fuel, full flaps, C/S in flat pitch and no tail wind. I can actually land much shorter but it could get interesting on the takeoff. Thanks, Allan...
Alan my hat is off to you! I find that absolutely incredible you can land on a 500 foot runway! When I saw the picture I thought you were joking. I'm not comfortable with less than 2500 feet of pavement in front of me. I can't even imagine attempting to take off with 500 feet, let alone land!
Alan my hat is off to you! I find that absolutely incredible you can land on a 500 foot runway! When I saw the picture I thought you were joking. I'm not comfortable with less than 2500 feet of pavement in front of me. I can't even imagine attempting to take off with 500 feet, let alone land!