What are my chances of getting a farmstrip here?

[AJ1990]

I have often looked at this strip of land of ours and wondered if it has any Farmstrip potential. The Google earth print screen has a 200 metre line drawn for scale. What do you guys think? I was thinking along the lines of something like a Zenith CH 701 Kit build or possibly a flexwing microlight. What other bits of kit do you think I could get in and out? I was thinking of operating under the 28 day rule but what's the success rate on aiming higher and getting full planning permission? Location is Chingford, E4. Any advice would be really appreciated - thanks!

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff505/AJR1990/Farmstrip.jpg

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff505/AJR1990/DSCN0075.jpg

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff505/AJR1990/DSCN0074.jpg

[Sir George Cayley]

Like everything in life today, it's complicated!

Not sure the extent of your land ownership but I'd look for a line that maximizes the take off and landing run. I've seen strips parallel to a road, Shotteswell by the side of the B4100 comes to mind.

Have a thought about taking drives by surprise when leaping of the ground next to them. Also consider any hazards such as wires etc.

There's the Olympic airspace issues next year and anyway you should check any other controlled airspace nearby.

Funnily enough I was watching a You Tube video of CH701s operating off very short strips only last week; looks like the right sort of machine for your strip.

There's a wealth of knowledge on here and maybe even more on the Flyer Forum, so press on and good luck.

SGC

[Genghis the Engineer]

Looks to me that you've a fighting chance there of creating about a 300m runway on about 08/26 - not a bad length for a modern microlight or similar aeroplane, and a reasonable runway heading.

Any of the modern 912 engined microlights, or smaller light aeroplanes should handle that fine. Older slower light aeroplanes - things like an Auster, Luscombe, C150, Super Cub should handle it okay too, depending upon your level of flying experience. Don't try seeking the ability to operate higher performance light aeroplanes - sooner or later you'll regret that on this runway length: stick to short field stuff with 1 or 2 seats.

That said, a high performance flexwing such as a Quik would handle it find and give you quite a lot of ability.

Regarding permissions - as a farmer I'm sure you're familiar with (a) the 28 day rule, and (b) the vital importance of not upsetting your neighbours. Id' start there, and once you have a few years experience, start thinking about bigger planning permissions.

G

[AJ1990]

Very aware of the 28 day rule - we currently hold car boot sales on the site hence the car tracks on the google pic. We even have an empty barn on that side which has lots of hangar potential. We're clear of any controlled airspace luckily, there is however a police helicopter base located nearby who frequently pass overhead. I'd assume they'd need notice of any such plans if they were to go ahead, does the CAA require notice of any kind?

[rmcb]

...creating about a 300m runway on about 08/26 ...

Exciting project - nearly as much as the EFATO options to the SW!

A great plan, none the less; myself and others set up a small strip in N Norfolk. The one key issue is the locals, 'though I can't see you having the same 'scaring the livestock' issue objection.

No idea on the types.

[Genghis the Engineer]

CAA don't need any notice, but I'd suggest going and talking to the Police ASU and just agreeing some procedures to stop you getting in each others ways. Ditto managers of any nearby airfields and controlled airspace - not a legal necessity, but extremely sensible.

G

[Jan Olieslagers]

Just a few thoughts from across the little Water:

-) over here, 200 metres is the legal minimum runway length. Even if I'm not always deeply impressed with our rulemakers, this one might well make sense.
-) 200 metres should be plenty for most trikes, from my limited experience in that category. I have flown my own Apollo Fox at the 270 metres of EBLN Liernu with not a shade of a problem, though I don't consider myself a skygod, rather the opposite. But the modern high-performance Rotax-powered 2-seaters might find 200 metres shortish, even if theoretically sufficient.
-) the orientation as illustrated (03/21 perhaps, or 04/22?) would be optimal over here. Even if prevalent winds are from the west, that is mainly from winds too strong for any flying. On flyable days, wind is often from the northeast or from the southwest. Don't know about your location but it might well be similar. Then again, crosswind landings are fun! (I did much of my training at a 15/33 with jolly turbulence surprises in the flair ^h ^h re)

My 0.02...

[peterh337]

Cutting through the hedges could be legally tricky.

I don't know if the rules vary around the UK but where I live there is no way you could remove hedges. You would have to do it covertly, a bit at a time, over a period of time. Or hope that nobody notices, which is highly unlikely to work.

I am not a Planning specialist but this is one thing I would check out.

[Pilot DAR]

there is no way you could remove hedges

Oh easy do! I'm sure with the parking signs flipped out of place, several of the car boot sale patrons will go right through a hedge with their cars!

[UV]

CAA don't need any notice

Well they most certainly used to, even if unlicenced.

The reason being that if you ever need their support (new controlled airspace, or new buildings for example) then they would be unable to properly assist if not previously consulted.

I suggest you contact them direct (Aerodrome Standards).

[wrecker]

It might be worth having a chat with the Guys at "Flying Farmers" (FFA.org.uk) lots of experience there.

[AJ1990]

FFA looks very interesting - thanks!

Does anyone have experience on the CH 701/750?

[pudoc]

Seeing as that plot of land is literally 5 minutes walk from where I live...no I think it would make a terrible strip and you're best to go somewhere else.

Unless of course there's room for two. :}

[AJ1990]

Billywhu...small world!:}

If only neighbours could be brought that easily! From experience it seems to take just one bad egg to bring a pipe dream like this down...I suppose you can only try and hope for the best. Seeing as it's the kit built route I'm preferring I wouldn't worry about us building Gatwick on your door step just yet :E

[pudoc]

I was messing, I could never do such thing to a fellow aviator. After all, I can sleep through that bloody police helicopter at stupid AM. Plus when I fly over my house extremely low and I get reported I can just say I was taking off from the strip. Perfect excuse! :D

[Tinstaafl]

Where are your property boundaries? Just wondering how long a strip could be fitted in.

Someone mentioned 300m. I can do that in a BN2 Islander without much trouble, so there are some larger types that could be kept in mind for the future.

[Genghis the Engineer]

For a STOL kitplane, have a good look at the MXP 740 Savannah, which is basically a better sorted and supported CH701. It certainly would cope with your proposed strip very well.

G

[Sir George Cayley]

Only a mother could love the looks of the CH 701 but even I would have one for a short strip.

Zenair STOL CH-701 Landing and Takeoff at RFK skilling RC meeting 2011 (HD1080p) - YouTube

Loverly airstrip with attractive heather too:ok:

SGC

[Genghis the Engineer]

Spec on the Savannah (http://www.bmaa.org/files/hm10_9_savannah.pdf) - performance figures on page 15.

(And just muttering into my beard that after umpty ump years in the game, LAA still don't produce documents halfway as useful and informative as a BMAA HADS, but for completeness here's the equivalent LAA document (http://www.lightaircraftassociation.co.uk/engineering/TADs/187%20ZENAIR%20CH701%20UL.pdf) for the CH701.

G