Would you land on this airstrip?
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Would you land on this airstrip?
Hi folks,
I was just contemplating some issues……
I learned to fly from this airstrip; and it is still in use actually:
Not a flattering picture perhaps; but please bear in mind that:
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!
My question is: what is the narrowest place you managed to "park" your plane? Airstrip, dirt road; whatever.
The width of the strip in the pic is officially 8 meters; but please believe me when I say that in reality it´s only 5 meters or so--> including the grass shoulders. And it slopes down from there…
Would you venture it; as a perfect stranger in your flying machine or would you have 2nd thoughts? It took me a while to land properly, to tell you the truth!
The weather is usually benign……just FYI.
Cheers,
###Ultra Long Hauler###
I was just contemplating some issues……
I learned to fly from this airstrip; and it is still in use actually:
Not a flattering picture perhaps; but please bear in mind that:
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!
My question is: what is the narrowest place you managed to "park" your plane? Airstrip, dirt road; whatever.
The width of the strip in the pic is officially 8 meters; but please believe me when I say that in reality it´s only 5 meters or so--> including the grass shoulders. And it slopes down from there…
Would you venture it; as a perfect stranger in your flying machine or would you have 2nd thoughts? It took me a while to land properly, to tell you the truth!
The weather is usually benign……just FYI.
Cheers,
###Ultra Long Hauler###
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The voice of my Spanish instructor springs to mind "Kip a centreline, kip a centreline!" In answer, I'd love to try it. How close are the bushes for a low wing bug smasher?
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Yes, I'd land on that runway! The small runways are the best fun.
Mine here at home is 40 feet wide between the lights, and about 80 feet wide between the trees at either end. It's fine for my plane, but it was tight when I brought in the Twin Otter, and more recently the Caravan.
My smallest "runway" operation would be this one. About 500 feet long, but with adequate approaches. Really rough ground in the scrub brush, so you don't want a wheel in there! There is no more rolling surface available, than that visible in the pictures...
My 8 year old daughter in pink standing at the far end....
Mine here at home is 40 feet wide between the lights, and about 80 feet wide between the trees at either end. It's fine for my plane, but it was tight when I brought in the Twin Otter, and more recently the Caravan.
My smallest "runway" operation would be this one. About 500 feet long, but with adequate approaches. Really rough ground in the scrub brush, so you don't want a wheel in there! There is no more rolling surface available, than that visible in the pictures...
My 8 year old daughter in pink standing at the far end....
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. Bus 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. Bus as you stated the strip is in regular use I suppose all those dangers have been chased off long since.
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There is no way I would choose to land my glider in either of the above!
Invitation to a ground loop for certain! I've landed in set-aside, maize that was a bit too tall for comfort, rape that had recently been harvested but lots of twigs still sticking up, pasture with 24 yearling entire black bulls, sheep, freshly harrowed sticky clay, a very steep field with flints, a fairground; also the centre strip at Newbury race course. There was a microlite strip that came close to being a tad narrow, and a helicopter landing pad at Silverstone, that was a bit short. And a field that had no access whatsoever to get the glider out without crossing a ditch....and two different airfields where the folks in charge had locked up for the weekend.
Rule is choose your field by 1,000' agl, preferably near a pub.
Invitation to a ground loop for certain! I've landed in set-aside, maize that was a bit too tall for comfort, rape that had recently been harvested but lots of twigs still sticking up, pasture with 24 yearling entire black bulls, sheep, freshly harrowed sticky clay, a very steep field with flints, a fairground; also the centre strip at Newbury race course. There was a microlite strip that came close to being a tad narrow, and a helicopter landing pad at Silverstone, that was a bit short. And a field that had no access whatsoever to get the glider out without crossing a ditch....and two different airfields where the folks in charge had locked up for the weekend.
Rule is choose your field by 1,000' agl, preferably near a pub.
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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?
To expand on what neilgeddes said, runway 25 at Redhill is said to be 10 m wide. I landed on it last Saturday and it is by far the thinnest I've ever used. It's also pretty short so the "picture" makes you think you are too high.
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Yes, I would enjoy landing on that runway, with a Piper Cub or other tailwheel plane.
For a period I flew a SuperCub from a 400 grasstrip (now only used by choppers) placed under the approach for Fiumicino rwy 25 in Rome. Always great fun considering that one end of the strip had tall trees at the end. And the local dog was always sleeping in the exact middle half way down.
For a period I flew a SuperCub from a 400 grasstrip (now only used by choppers) placed under the approach for Fiumicino rwy 25 in Rome. Always great fun considering that one end of the strip had tall trees at the end. And the local dog was always sleeping in the exact middle half way down.
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... not in the same league I realise but the strip at Clacton - in the 80s -
was 'unusual' - plus a good look-out was called for with the public
footpath cutting across the centre of the strip.
Another strip not recommended for beginners was the small field at
Ripe on the Kent Sussex border.
...
was 'unusual' - plus a good look-out was called for with the public
footpath cutting across the centre of the strip.
Another strip not recommended for beginners was the small field at
Ripe on the Kent Sussex border.
...
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Yeah, no probs ... I'd land my helicopter there 
Where was the wind again? 
Cheers
Whirls
Where was the wind again? Cheers
Whirls
A Cessna 140 was landed across the west end of Glenforsa during a 1990s fly-in. From the sea, uphill, into a strong crosswind. (By a professional helicopter pilot).