 |
Matronics Email Lists
Web Forum Interface to the Matronics Email Lists
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
albertakolbmk3
Joined: 13 Jun 2009
Posts: 69
Location: Innisfail, AB
|
 Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2009 7:00 pm Post subject: Minimum Grass Strip Length??? |
 |
|
Hi,
Just wondering what a comfortable length is for a grass strip with only a 4' high fence to clear on either end? I think I have about 1500' fence to fence. Keep in mind I just got my license and have been flying off of a 5000' runway. I was thinking of putting markers on our grass strip just to see how long 1500' is when your coming in to land. I'll force myself to land as short as possible.
| | - The Matronics Kolb-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kolb-List |
|
_________________
Tony B.
Kolb MKIII C
Rotax 582
C Gearbox 3.00:1
WD 66" 3 Blade Prop |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
John Bickham
Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 170
Location: St. Francisville, LA
|
| Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2009 9:45 pm Post subject: Re: Minimum Grass Strip Length??? |
|
|
Been there, done this!
I fly out of my strip, Nauga Field, which is 1550 ft. It has tall trees and power lines both ends.
The first time I approached it, I turned around and went back to my long 2500 ft base strip. It just visually looked way too short. That was because I was used to flying off 2500 to 6000 ft runways.
I did just what you suggested. I marked off the longer grass strip with flagging. I marked the obstacles and middle of the runway. It turned out to be easy. It was just what you are used to looking at. Once you mark the distances, and do some practicing with that, you should have a firm understanding of what you and your Kolb are capable of. I fly with a 912UL. Not sure of your plane's performance with the 582.
The only real key for me is that I make a go, no-go decision as I cross the obstacles. If I'm not at the right position and right speed it is go-around time. Ten MPH too fast will eat up a lot of runway. The shorter field leaves little room to "adjust". Too late to make a decision in the flare.
It will force you to be better at controlling approach airspeed to a greater degree. Practice a lot of approaches only, just nail the airspeed. It will also build your confidence and capabilities. Will come in handy, in the event of an emergency.
Just take it slow and build up to it. Practice, practice, practice on the longer field, marked. You will know when you are capable.
There are a few rough videos of folks landing at Nauga on Youtube. Search "nauga". I'm at work and can't look up the exact address.
Be careful, just had a thread lately with someone getting too slow on approach. Never good.
Hope this helps.
| | - The Matronics Kolb-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kolb-List |
|
_________________
Thanks too much,
John Bickham
Mark III-C w/ 912UL
St. Francisville, LA
I know many pilots and a few true aviators. There is a distinct difference that I have the greatest respect for. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Thom Riddle
Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 1597
Location: Buffalo, NY, USA (9G0)
|
| Posted: Sat Oct 24, 2009 4:55 am Post subject: Re: Minimum Grass Strip Length??? |
|
|
And DON'T try to land on the threshold; give yourself some leeway on the approach end.
Catching a fence with your main gear will ruin your day. Ask Richard Pike about that. Or if you are unlucky and find a hidden pothole with your main gear at the threshold, because you were trying to land shorter than necessary, that can also ruin your day, as it did mine a few years ago.
If you land just a little long, running into an obstacle at walking speed at the far end is far better than at approach speed on the approach end.
do not archive
| | - The Matronics Kolb-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kolb-List |
|
_________________
Thom Riddle
Buffalo, NY (9G0)
Don't worry about old age... it doesn't last very long.
- Anonymous |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Richard Pike
Joined: 09 Jan 2006
Posts: 1671
Location: Blountville, Tennessee
|
| Posted: Sat Oct 24, 2009 7:56 am Post subject: Re: Minimum Grass Strip Length??? |
|
|
| Thom Riddle wrote: | And DON'T try to land on the threshold; give yourself some leeway on the approach end.
Catching a fence with your main gear will ruin your day. Ask Richard Pike about that. <snip>
do not archive |
Yep. Starting next week, I will begin putting Bro. Ed's airplane back together. Just when my son is buying a house on the next block and wants me to help remodel it. Yippee.... (Actually, Ed missed the fence with the mains, snagged it with the tail)
Speaking of short fields, did my biennial flight review in the MKIII on Wednesday, and was doing a short approach, short field landing for the check pilot - his comment: "This thing couldn't come down any quicker if it was made of bricks!"
Richard Pike
MKIII N420P (420ldPoops)
| | - The Matronics Kolb-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kolb-List |
|
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Thom Riddle
Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 1597
Location: Buffalo, NY, USA (9G0)
|
| Posted: Sat Oct 24, 2009 8:09 am Post subject: Re: Minimum Grass Strip Length??? |
|
|
Richard,
Thanks for correcting the error in my aging memory. In any case the net result was a very bad day.
do not archive
| | - The Matronics Kolb-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kolb-List |
|
_________________
Thom Riddle
Buffalo, NY (9G0)
Don't worry about old age... it doesn't last very long.
- Anonymous |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You can download files in this forum
|
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group
|
Get Email Distribution Too!
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
