Van drivers - your wisdom please

[Dixons Cider]

I originally posted this on the Biz Jets/GA forum, but decided to shift it here after some good advice. Should have known you boys would be the best to come to for 'van knowledge.

Can anybody give me some ball park figures to what is a reasonable strip length for a Grand Caravan?

No need to be too scientific. Say SL to 1000ft PA. ISA to ISA +15ish. What about at MTOW?

I know the 208 is not a true STOL machine, but it has got an element of bushiness about it.

I'm guessing 700 metres would be good enough with a bit of margin. Fair? I'm sure its been in and out of some tight ones, but need to know what could be reasonably expected of it without dragging its arse over the fence!

Cheers

[mach decimal 83]

Take off distance and roll

MTOW: 8750 lbs
T/O Roll @ MTOW at 1000ft Press Alt, 20 degrees: 1545ft (471 metres)
T/O Distance over 50ft obstacle: 2738ft (835 meters)

[I.R.PIRATE]

Yup ballpark figure of no shorter than 700m will keep you on the safe side. She flies in less than that at gross, but flying is not quite the right description for waht she is doing at that time.

Also be careful of landing on a strip you can get out of...it has been known to happen.

[Dixons Cider]

Thanks to all of you, much appreciated.

[BeechGecko]

If there's a will there's a way, and if there's a way the Van will find it!

Just don't push the limits.

[bush van]

Hi There

Personally, i have flown the Van into 400-500M not fully loaded, but with 8 pax, and a couple hours of fuel, performs pretty well and get out no prob,

very good in rough runways,

[arrow208]

bush van,

well done mate, not many that can say that, i'm proud to be one

400 - 500m sounds like "dam vol bier"............

how things going in the sand pit on that side?

Arrow.....

[bush van]

hey mate

Things going well, running around DRC now, good fun i tell you. Do miss the Van,
HA those were the days, best fun flying i have done, really enjoyed it.

This place hardly like a sand pit, More ice here than in my whiskey, but all good fun mate.

Where you now mate

[the wizard of auz]

Been in and out of 600M at 4110KG (increased MTOW STC) @ 38C, 95% Humidity, and 100 AMSL, 5knt Tailwind component.
was a eye opening experience, as there was a large cliff at the end of the runway. Stall warning stays on for a bit and it tends to waffle.
700M is a pretty good standard to aim for. you'll get it up and away under most conditions at that length.

[boere uit die bos]

Hope it helps

I agree with these guys one of my previous gigs had to fly out of a field that is only 640 meters well with in the limits of the van at Max All up. It was a nice flat field at sea level no obstacles except for the odd goat.

Not to forsake your experience and proffesionalism but just some things to consider. Prep for a short field you should consider obstacles around airfield, local winds, Pressure alt, Temprature. have you been to the strip before or is this your first visit what kind of surface is it?

Hope it helps?

[Dixons Cider]

All good stuff guys....its sort of what I imagined. Cheers

boere boss:
Its not a particular strip I have in mind, more a possible operation I have in mind that would entail going to a few strips that are shortish, all grass, and maybe a beach. Was just looking at ball park figures so I could draw a line and rule out those that are too short, in order to weigh up the feasibilty of my scheme.

Obviously if things are looking within the realms of being workable, then I'd have to do a thorough study of each strip. At the moment though, just eliminating those that are definite no go's. The biggest thing is legalities - we all know you can drag 'em in and out of places the P charts say you cant, but if I'm going to start an operation, 'fraid its gonna have at least look legal.

[boere uit die bos]

I understand. The legal side it the catch we all know what it can do, it is what you are allowed to do is the concern.

I stand to be correct but you can not land an aircraft on a beach in SA! Might want to check that out.

Good luck.