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Old 16th Oct 2020, 05:13
  #16 (permalink)  
Sam Rutherford
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Here
Posts: 1,874
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We needed engineers to sign off our sand runway for the Zoute Air Trophy. The sand between the high tide mark and the actual sea was good or excellent at all times - though the sand nearer high tide just before high tide was slightly softer (had enjoyed the longest opportunity to dry out). Whilst the slope of your beach is manageable, the hardness will also be fine in this 'zone'. The only other thing to watch are the washouts - water running down from pools higher up the beach which create little streams - which create drops/climbs in the sand of up to 20cm (across your landing direction).

In contrast, the soft sand higher on the beach was extremely unforgiving during the taxi phases - requiring extensive ground handling (and some of the pilots who were too enthusiastic with the throttle and too impatient to wait for a pull/push managed to damage their aircraft).

If you have the opportunity, try it! Don't forget a good wash afterwards...
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