Beeches on Beaches

[Crosshair]

What should you keep in mind when landing an aeroplane on a beach (with an eye toward getting it out again later)? I'm thinking of something at least the size of a C-152, not an ultralight.

What assumptions do you make about landing/take-off distance (e.g., I assume that sand inhibits rolling more than "long wet grass," but how much? Is there a coefficient to use in those calculations?

Are you foolish to even try without oversize tyres?

Also, do you try to land closer to the water (harder sand, but closer to surf) or higher up (away from salt, but in softer sand)?

Specific beach recommendations would be interesting, too.

[ScottyDoo]

Are you foolish to even try without oversize tyres?

I'd say foolish, in general. What's wrong with landing on a runway, in the traditional manner?

But if you must, ensure you take adequate sunscreen...

[VH-XXX]

Aircraft land on beaches every day, say Fraser island etc. It's all about sand compactness. You could land some of the heaviest aircraft on a beach if the sand is right. I've heard of people taking a brick and throwing it out the window then watching how it lands to check sand density. Note * Remember to pick up the brick before you leave or if you don't land, make sure your fingerprints weren't on it.

If you want to visit a beach in your aircraft, take a seaplane!

[flywatcher]

I have probably made over 5000 landings on all sorts of beachs in an appropriately equipped aircraft and my advice to you is simple. DON'T!!!. Nose wheel aircraft can overturn, you may think you have landed safely, when you wish to depart the vibration of the engine will bog the nosewheel, the list is endless. A tailwheel aircraft with 28 to 30 inch tyres is the minimum for the average beach. Some are as hard as rocks, some aren't and some have soft patches and it takes a lot of experience to tell the difference. And then of course, there is the corrosion caused by the salt in the sand and thrown up by the wheels, and the insurance-- the list goes on.

[Crosshair]

Add one to the list of factors in favour of the Legend Cub, then. Whether they outweigh its slowness is another question.

I was thinking maybe JATO bottles...

[kiwiblue]

I've made a few beach landings over the years, in aircraft up to & including fully-laden BN-2A. Operational activities; everything from supply runs to pax/hunter drop-off/pick-up and ambo flights. I have no problem personally with putting an aircraft on a beach, as long as you are certain that the beach intended is appropriate for use. Indeed in one operation I worked, beach-landings were a frequent part of our normal activities and as such formed a part of our approved Ops Manual, complete with landing area diagrams and operational advice and considerations.

There were a few things we used to consider before the flight, which you may find useful; I don't know how appropriate some of these will be to your intended operation so best you check out with someone experienced on your intended beach 1st. In no particular order:

• 2 hours either side of low-tide was our 'window' for beach operations, less if it was a particularly windy day pushing the wave-surge higher up the beach, or a particularly steep beach.
• All operations were conducted below the mean high-water mark on sand washed and compacted by the tide.
• All turns on the beach are made towards the water, always. This keeps you on the washed/compacted sand throughout turns. Make the widest radius turns possible within the area available to you.
• Conduct a thorough low-level inspection of the beach before committing to the approach/landing. Look for obstructions, humps in the sand, soft-spots (wet), debris and people on or adjacent to your selected landing area. Beach landings where I worked were usually in remote areas; people got quite excited to see an aircraft and could/would rush down to get that impressive photo- right in front of you. Be aware of it, be prepared to go missed if necessary.
• Your inspection needs to be particularly thorough if you are the 1st to operate onto a beach after a storm or particularly heavy wx. The character of the beach may have changed dramatically.
• Personally I usually used a full short-field approach technique onto the beach -lower touch-down speed, shorter landing roll. Hold the nose-wheel off as long as possible. Do not use brakes unless absolutely necessary -try to prevent sand/grit abrading pads and discs.
• Likewise on departure, a full short-field technique was used, with the nosewheel off at the earliest opportunity.
• We always had some sort of flight-following on beach-ops, either through company ops or the nearest ATS facility, with an expected 'call again' time. For us that was usually 20-30 minutes after our call. That way if we missed the 'call again' time, someone was acting to find out why. It might be something as minor as a flat battery, but with only whatever is left of a 4-hour beach 'window' things need to be moving along to rectify the situation before the aircraft gets wet!
• Many beach landings are x-wind, either an on- or off-shore breeze. Nothing here that a normally competent pilot can't handle.
• Due to the 'forgiving' nature of your landing surface, touchdowns tend to be smooth and gentle!
• On returning to your base, give your aircraft a thorough fresh-water wash, with particular attention to the landing gear/brakes and belly. CAUTION: If you operate in a cold climate, particularly on a cold, clear, frosty day, the water can freeze as soon as it touches your airframe! Best not done if you need to use it again soon!

Dropping bricks from the aircraft... hmmm, I don't recommend that. 1st it's against the law, and 2nd even from say 50-100 feet a brick is a pretty small target to be basing your judgement of the surface on. If you have to, just drag your mains lightly on your landing area with power up; if it feels too soft, then full-power, off and have another go another day.

There will be other considerations too that I've forgotten. Others will be able to fill those gaps. With regard over-size tyres, I've never had them myself, but agree that on some beaches they would be essential. If however as I suspect you are looking at making your 1st ever beach landing, it is more likely you will be going to a beach that's a known quantity with an experienced instructor. Relax, enjoy the experience! Don't make it more complicated/expensive than it needs be! There are lots of beaches that are safely accessible without any need of 'special' equipment. You will visit some remarkable places. Have a heap of fun!

I'm jealous as all hell -I don't get to do that sort of flying much any more!

[scrambler]

I recall an incident a number of years ago. Poor wx, a low time ppl landed a 172 on the beach. The company to save some $$$$ for a boat trip decided to fly a 206 in to drop a pilot for the recovery of the 172 (A pilot with MANY beach landings at the controls). Soft sand and the 206 nose wheel caused an expensive exercise. I would leave it to the experts, or get some good advice from someone who does it alot.

[flywatcher]

kiwiblue--agree. However landing on a strange beach at random rather than a known quantity ie a previously inspected beach adds to the risk quite dramatically.

[qtn]

Another good trick is before you shut off the engine, watch if your wheels are sinking into the sand. If so you can give it the jandal and get yourself out of there onto a better area. Enjoy

[BrazDriver]

Theres a pic of an Airvan on the beach in the new Oz Aviation.

Personally not my cup of tea,

But I wouldn't plan to leave it near the waters edge for too long! The tide could prevent a quick getaway!

Just a question for the experienced, how did the aircraft go with regular beach ops and corrosion even with a hosedown afterwards??

[Capt Fathom]

Three small sheets of plywood, to park the plane on. They're a bugger to dig out once they sink a bit!

[kiwiblue]

Originally Posted by BrazDriver

how did the aircraft go with regular beach ops and corrosion even with a hosedown afterwards??

Not too bad BD... I have personally never seen any additional corrosion worries that could be related solely to beach-ops. The only BN-2 I saw with corrosion problems on the main spar was one that had never been operated on a beach! As long as the wash-down is meticulous it seems to be OK.

qtn @ fathom: absolutely correct.

[vh_ajm]

Permissions. Added paragraph.

What's the deal with permissions to land? I.e. who does the land belong to and do you need their consent?

Since it hasn't been mentioned it before, I'm imaining it'd be Crown land and permission not required or maybe council land. Not sure though, please correct me if wrong (gently).

AJM

[Miraz]

Does Australia have the same set of legal funnies about ownership of land between the high and low water lines as the UK?

[BrazDriver]

Cheers Kiwiblue!

[Two_dogs]

Here's a company in Cairns who do it fairly regularly. I know the operator/chief pilot and he assures me it is normally a straightforward operation but can be a tad difficult on certain types of days. (Read Wet Season)

http://www.kestrelaviationservices.c...ht_charter.htm

Two Dogs

[Pee Three]

I remember putting a van on a beach in the Torres Strait, we pulled up in 150 metres. Probaly doesn't count though as we were dead sticking at the time. However the CP flew the van off some two weeks later with a very reduced payload, part of which was one very sick PT6 engine. The strip he had to play with was from memory about 350 metres long and the side slope was close to 15 degrees!!

ps sorry about the slight change of tack on this thread

Pee Three

[kiwiblue]

Originally Posted by vh ajm

What's the deal with permissions to land?

That I'm not certain of. Where I was operating, the Department of Conservation was responsible for (and jealously guarded) land above the mean high-water mark. Another govt body had responsibility for the land below the mean Low-water mark... the only bit suitable for aircraft ops was the bit between! So I guess we sorta slipped into a grey area there for which no-one had legislated!

I have no idea how that would go in AUS or the UK.

[Aynayda Pizaqvick]

http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2007130845,00.html
Not a bad effort! Mind you, they have MAOT teams to go out and recce the site for them before hand. Still, if a Herc can do it...