Would you land on this airstrip?
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Humaround, er, yes, in a glider at Silverstone ......
and there was the occasion at North Dene, Great Yarmouth....I was supposed to be returning a pegasus glider (15 meter, nothing fancy, a French improvement on the ASW 19) from Nympsfield to High Wycombe, but it was such a loverly day, I got distracted and as the landscape unrolled beneath my wings, just turned North a bit to avoid sensitive places like Heathrow, Northolt, Luton, Stanstead, and then when getting near the Wash, had to choose between heading up to Scotland or going East until I ran out of land....which of course happened somewhere near Yarmouth. I toyed with the idea of flying round the oil rig out in the water, but chickened out, and flew up and down the beach for a while, observing the traffic situation at North Dene.....there was absolutely none at all, so I just set up a circuit and landed.
Didn't get much of a welcome, red landrover rolled up, five guys jumped out and without a word pushed my glider off the runway - their very first ever helicopter emergency was coming in from the oil platform, with one engine out, so they needed the runway, and here was this silly glider plopped down in the middle....
I apologised and apologised, and was forgiven, and they began to see the funny side.....
But then I heard about Justin Will's landing his glider at North Dene. He'd flown up from Exeter, or thereabouts, and like me had done a downwind dash. Can't remember the name of the well known and no longer with us aerobatic ace who used to fly at RAF Bicester, but he came along to North Dene with the tug. North Dene manager said no way I can permit you to tow a glider out of here, it's not long enough!
Somehow the manager was persuaded that whatever happened he would not be held responsible. The way Justin told it, he was pushed to the farthest fence, and told to hang on no matter what! The glider lifted off before the tow plane, which didn't lift off until ten feet from the end of the runway, and just made it over the earth bank before plopping down again in the driveway of the holiday camp, which was exactly in line with the runway. The combination of towplane and glider then gained flying speed with an astonished audience of campers, who couldn't believe their eyes......
Those were the days.....when we were young and foolish....
and there was the occasion at North Dene, Great Yarmouth....I was supposed to be returning a pegasus glider (15 meter, nothing fancy, a French improvement on the ASW 19) from Nympsfield to High Wycombe, but it was such a loverly day, I got distracted and as the landscape unrolled beneath my wings, just turned North a bit to avoid sensitive places like Heathrow, Northolt, Luton, Stanstead, and then when getting near the Wash, had to choose between heading up to Scotland or going East until I ran out of land....which of course happened somewhere near Yarmouth. I toyed with the idea of flying round the oil rig out in the water, but chickened out, and flew up and down the beach for a while, observing the traffic situation at North Dene.....there was absolutely none at all, so I just set up a circuit and landed.
Didn't get much of a welcome, red landrover rolled up, five guys jumped out and without a word pushed my glider off the runway - their very first ever helicopter emergency was coming in from the oil platform, with one engine out, so they needed the runway, and here was this silly glider plopped down in the middle....
I apologised and apologised, and was forgiven, and they began to see the funny side.....
But then I heard about Justin Will's landing his glider at North Dene. He'd flown up from Exeter, or thereabouts, and like me had done a downwind dash. Can't remember the name of the well known and no longer with us aerobatic ace who used to fly at RAF Bicester, but he came along to North Dene with the tug. North Dene manager said no way I can permit you to tow a glider out of here, it's not long enough!
Somehow the manager was persuaded that whatever happened he would not be held responsible. The way Justin told it, he was pushed to the farthest fence, and told to hang on no matter what! The glider lifted off before the tow plane, which didn't lift off until ten feet from the end of the runway, and just made it over the earth bank before plopping down again in the driveway of the holiday camp, which was exactly in line with the runway. The combination of towplane and glider then gained flying speed with an astonished audience of campers, who couldn't believe their eyes......
Those were the days.....when we were young and foolish....
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Another strip not recommended for beginners was the small field at
Ripe on the Kent Sussex border.
Ripe on the Kent Sussex border.
Deanland Airfield - Home
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There is always the apocryphal(?) story of the light aircaft taking off across the runway at Manston.
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Nothing short about Ripe/Deanland. Operated out of there for many years without a problem.
Now there were the ones that left on a truck. usually uninvited, and used to many yards of concrete.
The same people would complain when told it was Prior Permission Only??
Speedbird48
Now there were the ones that left on a truck. usually uninvited, and used to many yards of concrete.
The same people would complain when told it was Prior Permission Only??
Speedbird48
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When I was quite a lot younger and braver than I am today I took a TB9 into (and out of!) the strip which used to be at Westbury sub Mendip. As well as being narrow (wingtips through the brambles when doing a 180 at the end) and short, it had a gentle curve as it is actually the disused railway track.
For those looking on Google Earth: 51°14'02.22" N 2°43'31.17" W
Warnervale, NSW, doesn't leave much room for error before departing the hard surface either. At least the strip there isn't edged by scrub and brambles though.
Lat: 33° 14.45' S Long: 151° 25.84' E
For those looking on Google Earth: 51°14'02.22" N 2°43'31.17" W
Warnervale, NSW, doesn't leave much room for error before departing the hard surface either. At least the strip there isn't edged by scrub and brambles though.
Lat: 33° 14.45' S Long: 151° 25.84' E
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Ripe Deanland
Adding to my earlier Deanland post in which I made very clear that what
then followed was not in the same league as that of the threads originator - Those apparantly objecting to the airfields description as 'small' -
may need to contact the fields owner (or one time owner) - also the Classic British Flight Sim Library - also flight safety digest - all of whom have used and published the same word objected to in reference to that location.
Ripe is of course a delightful field for the enjoyance of most pilots and
PPLs. Its many years since I last visited but looking at recent photos
appears to have been greatly improved since the last time I flew in.
...
then followed was not in the same league as that of the threads originator - Those apparantly objecting to the airfields description as 'small' -
may need to contact the fields owner (or one time owner) - also the Classic British Flight Sim Library - also flight safety digest - all of whom have used and published the same word objected to in reference to that location.
Ripe is of course a delightful field for the enjoyance of most pilots and
PPLs. Its many years since I last visited but looking at recent photos
appears to have been greatly improved since the last time I flew in.
...
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Jeppers guys- some of us poor struggling students have trouble getting an American Spamcan down on 900metres of tarmac!.
Seems that just as soon as I get it all lined up the bloomin runway ups and moves.
I am almost convinced that our airfield is actually an aircraft carrier!.
Now they MUST be hard to land on!
Seems that just as soon as I get it all lined up the bloomin runway ups and moves.
I am almost convinced that our airfield is actually an aircraft carrier!. Now they MUST be hard to land on!
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Piece of cake, landing on aircraft carrier. I say, chaps, just point it into wind, right? But choose one that has a skewed sideways deck, otherwise if you fall of the end, you get keelhauled.....
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I've flown into Westbury-sub-Mendip in an Auster Autocrat, that gentle curve makes for some fast and precise footwork.
Visited the site to check it out but still overflew 3 times before committing as it looked a damn sight shorter and narrower from 500ft!
Also had/has sizeable industrial unit at the Southern end not far from the threshold, I'm guessing the TB9 would have needed a very favourable wind.
Visited the site to check it out but still overflew 3 times before committing as it looked a damn sight shorter and narrower from 500ft!
Also had/has sizeable industrial unit at the Southern end not far from the threshold, I'm guessing the TB9 would have needed a very favourable wind.
Once took off on the dispersal at Ubari airport in southern Libya, in about 100m, but the wind was 20G30kts on the nose and we were light. The earlier landing with said wind fully crosswind was considerably more exciting.
Tower's response to my request was nothing more than 'clear take off'. Not sure he fully understood, thinking back...
Narrowest was CSH5 Saint Ferdinand in Canada, also on an epic slope.
Fly safe, have fun, Sam.
Tower's response to my request was nothing more than 'clear take off'. Not sure he fully understood, thinking back...
Narrowest was CSH5 Saint Ferdinand in Canada, also on an epic slope.
Fly safe, have fun, Sam.
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Touché……...
For the original question: at sea level, my Apollo Fox happily jumps out of 200 metres, so yes I would use it, IF
-) it is not too high
-) you can convince me there's no hidden surprises such as big loose stones, or sudden appearance of hippopotamus or grizzly bear or the like. But as you stated the strip is in regular use I suppose all those dangers have been chased off long since.
-) it is not too high
-) you can convince me there's no hidden surprises such as big loose stones, or sudden appearance of hippopotamus or grizzly bear or the like. But as you stated the strip is in regular use I suppose all those dangers have been chased off long since.
There is the old cow next to the airstrip at times; but they can´t hide really; you`ll spot them. I had to do a missed approach only once or twice; hardly ever really. Never been surprised……..
Animals on airstrips are quite usual where we are. When we used to practice touch and go´s at a wider strip in the area; some farmers would release their horses just to get rid of us.
That is "the widest place you ever landed"…….albeit very short!!
Didn't get much of a welcome, red landrover rolled up, five guys jumped out and without a word pushed my glider off the runway - their very first ever helicopter emergency was coming in from the oil platform, with one engine out, so they needed the runway, and here was this silly glider plopped down in the middle....
###Ultra Long Hauler###
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Aside from all that loose gravel, the bit that would really have me clutching everything are those wires on the threshold! The chap flying in this film obviously knows where he's going, so doesn't need to do a circuit!
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You found us Pato!!
That chap would be me actually.
The 26 threshold is a bit of a bitch because of the cables, indeed!
Well spotted; at 0:35 seconds in the video.
The thing is, when it´s windy it is the preferred threshold for obvious reasons; in case of a missed approach you don´t need cables!
I have had one or two missed approaches coming from the other side, if you just decide early; there´s no worries.
Once again, it´s far from ideal…..but as I said:
1) It´s 500 meters long which is plenty for us.
2) It´s nicely elevated which makes for all year round flying; while other (nicer) airfields struggle in the rainy season.
3) While it looks a little bendy; those are mainly the grass shoulders which are perfectly fit for use; in case you swerve a little!
4) We are moving to a beautiful new club soon!
The 1st plane already landed on our new park; without cables anywhere and 16 meters width to play with!
###Ultra Long Hauler###
The 26 threshold is a bit of a bitch because of the cables, indeed!
Well spotted; at 0:35 seconds in the video.
The thing is, when it´s windy it is the preferred threshold for obvious reasons; in case of a missed approach you don´t need cables!
I have had one or two missed approaches coming from the other side, if you just decide early; there´s no worries.
Once again, it´s far from ideal…..but as I said:
1) It´s 500 meters long which is plenty for us.
2) It´s nicely elevated which makes for all year round flying; while other (nicer) airfields struggle in the rainy season.
3) While it looks a little bendy; those are mainly the grass shoulders which are perfectly fit for use; in case you swerve a little!
4) We are moving to a beautiful new club soon!
###Ultra Long Hauler###
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Not quite in the same league as our Canadian or Equatorial fellows, but here's a pic of my usual mount at my favourite strip.
Threshold altitude is 8100ft if I'm not mistaken.
Threshold altitude is 8100ft if I'm not mistaken.
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May I ask what country that is!?
Reminds me of this strip:
I´ve never flown on it (yet); they literally have to move the wooden fencing from the "runway" (on the far right side of the pic) and scare away the cows if you intend to land there! Talk about the need for communications……
Altitude? Over 9000 feet!!
And the threshold is literally a 300 meter deep cliff!
So you´ll think twice before aborting T.O!!
###Ultra Long Hauler###
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Just to answer Momoe: 26th June 1982 my logbook tells me. At this distance I have no recollection of the wind but I do recall the large shed/warehouse just before the threshold. Strangely I don't recall it as one of my 'hairier' flying moments!
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Narrowest I've landed on was Coonagh just inside the Shannon zone by Limerick, the tarmac was just wide enough for the wheelbase of a PA28.
You had to buzz the cows first, too. I wonder, does the field still exist?
You had to buzz the cows first, too. I wonder, does the field still exist?
You'll be glad to know that the cow's are doing well and fattening up nicely for next summers barbeque.
It's not that narrow either as you can see from this video I only needed half the width.
Or if you're like me and used to flying out of Coonagh you flare at 50ft on the wider runways.