Beach landings
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Beach landings
Hi everyone, was thumbing through pilot or flyer today and saw a picture a Cessna making a beach landing up in Scotland somewhere and thought that it looks pretty cool to do the whole land on the beach campfire/picnic thing.
I was wondering if there is someone out there who has done a beach landing or knows about what is involved?
Such as technique, beaches that you are allowed to land on or how would you know if you can or can't land on it?
Also is there a risk that you may sink in the sand and wind up stuck?
Sorry if this is in the wrong forum couldnt think where to put it as its a bit of a wierd one!
Thanx in advance
Rhyspiper
I was wondering if there is someone out there who has done a beach landing or knows about what is involved?
Such as technique, beaches that you are allowed to land on or how would you know if you can or can't land on it?
Also is there a risk that you may sink in the sand and wind up stuck?
Sorry if this is in the wrong forum couldnt think where to put it as its a bit of a wierd one!
Thanx in advance
Rhyspiper
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Netherlands
I've landed a Saratoga on the beach at Barra. Fantastic experience. Allow 40 mins after the tide for drying and its firm, no problem at all. Be a little conservative with winds as the surrounding hills can give up and down draughts on approach, particularly on RW 17. I had first down-draught, then on short as I was trying for the threshold, an up-draught - not very helpful. I would suggest a limit of 15-20 knots.
Remember to depart before the tide comes in. It is possible to pull your aircraft onto the shingle above the waterline, then you have time to explore the island and stay overnight. Your'll need some boards to run the wheels on and tie-downs. Tanker fuel.
Consider to first land at Oban to phone for latest information.
Go for it.
flyme
Remember to depart before the tide comes in. It is possible to pull your aircraft onto the shingle above the waterline, then you have time to explore the island and stay overnight. Your'll need some boards to run the wheels on and tie-downs. Tanker fuel.
Consider to first land at Oban to phone for latest information.
Go for it.
flyme
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 270
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From: Near the Mountains of Sussex
There is also Piling Sands , up on the NW coast.
Walked along the beach at L2K at the weekend..........was museing that its entirely possible to land on it.........Once the Land yachts had been cleared out of the way first !
Walked along the beach at L2K at the weekend..........was museing that its entirely possible to land on it.........Once the Land yachts had been cleared out of the way first !
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: UK
Pilling Sands - resting place of the remains of a Fairy Swordfish (all 3 crew survived the crash)
Pilling Sands Airfield
I also have memories of pleasure flying aircraft operating off the beach at Southport.
Pilling Sands Airfield
I also have memories of pleasure flying aircraft operating off the beach at Southport.
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From: Niort
There is no reason (legally) why not.
But notice that all the successful beach landing sites are in comparatively sheltered bays with very little slope. The reason for this is the sand becomes hard packed and not disturbed by wave action. Soft sand is a death trap unless you have tundra tyres (pretty rare in the UK!).
My local beaches are possibilities - but only at the bottom of the tide where the 'flat' 'hard' bit is exposed. But that is only for a couple of hours maximum and there is no easy way to get further up the beach.
Talk to some amphib pilots about how they hate trying to get to the upper part of beaches (very small wheels make it near impossible!).
In BC the 'accepted' technique is to carry out a series of passes running the wheels along the beach and checking for the amount of drag and the depth of track - its something that needs practice!!
But notice that all the successful beach landing sites are in comparatively sheltered bays with very little slope. The reason for this is the sand becomes hard packed and not disturbed by wave action. Soft sand is a death trap unless you have tundra tyres (pretty rare in the UK!).
My local beaches are possibilities - but only at the bottom of the tide where the 'flat' 'hard' bit is exposed. But that is only for a couple of hours maximum and there is no easy way to get further up the beach.
Talk to some amphib pilots about how they hate trying to get to the upper part of beaches (very small wheels make it near impossible!).
In BC the 'accepted' technique is to carry out a series of passes running the wheels along the beach and checking for the amount of drag and the depth of track - its something that needs practice!!
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: West Britain
Lots of traps here. The area between the high- and low-water marks can be contentious in terms of ownership and can you be sure the beach you choose is absolutely deserted? It only takes one individual walking the dog in the dunes to make a complaint and the hassle will be endless.
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: UK
Photos at Knott End (Fleetwood) & Pilling Sands
also Middleton Sands, before the exclusion zone was introduced around the Heysham Nuclear Power Station.
also Middleton Sands, before the exclusion zone was introduced around the Heysham Nuclear Power Station.
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Beach landings seem to evoke something special - no wonder. How idyllic
But be warned - you WILL attract attention. Especially plod, who will pitch up outnumbering you 2 to 1 to ensure public safety
And I'm not being facetious - that's why they're in this photo!
Agree with previous posters - go for the firm, smooth, obstacle-free bits, which I guess will be close to the low-water mark.
But be warned - you WILL attract attention. Especially plod, who will pitch up outnumbering you 2 to 1 to ensure public safety
And I'm not being facetious - that's why they're in this photo!
Agree with previous posters - go for the firm, smooth, obstacle-free bits, which I guess will be close to the low-water mark.
Last edited by 'India-Mike; 17th July 2008 at 18:39. Reason: typo
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Moray,Scotland,U.K.
I've done a lot of walking year round on beaches. The hardness can vary a lot, depending on recent weather. Some days my trainers hardly leave a sole print, but sometimes I sink 30 mm into the sand, at each step, in the same place. Have a beach checked shortly before you use it. I've walked on good hard sand near HW Spring tide mark, when there were Neap tides, and you could have parked all day
And phone the police (and Coastguard?) in advance. Also tell Air Traffic. With mobile phones, everyone seeing you from a distance is likely to dial 999.
I have never landed on a beach that was not an airfield.
And phone the police (and Coastguard?) in advance. Also tell Air Traffic. With mobile phones, everyone seeing you from a distance is likely to dial 999.
I have never landed on a beach that was not an airfield.
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: UK
Just keep your eyes open if you're down Devon way and feel the urge to land on a beach.............the military like to do it as well 
YouTube - C130 Hercules Beach Landing
YouTube - C130 Hercules Beach Landing
Joined: Jan 2008
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
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From: The Smaller Antipode
Beach Landings
Grew up in Southport, knew the beach pilot, Frenchman named Giroux ( Gyro ! ) operated a Fox Moth for many years, 4 seat cabin which carried his dog from the hangar to the public landing area, open cockpit for pilot behind. 5 bob trip around Blackpool Tower was too much for me, he suffered a crash landing and replaced the aircraft with an Auster.
Now in N.Z. - joined an approved rally to land on the beach near Raglan with my 45 yr. old VW powered Turbulent not long ago. VW always a bastard to start, so decided that I wouldn't stop the engine - just in case the incoming tide beat my Armstrong starter - but as I was stationary felt the engine vibration giving me a decided sinking feeling so decided to keep moving until it was time to go. Good fun tho', which is the only reason to fly now.
Left hand side of the long thin bit that forms the very top of New Zealand is the so called 90 Mile Beach, and is used for tourist buses too, aero clubs occasionally get together to land en masse, never done it there, but got a commission to look for turtles on the beach one day, good excuse for low flying, trouble is the N.Z's have a habit of fishing using a kite to take a line far out to sea, so only low fly when the wind is blowing from sea to land !
Now in N.Z. - joined an approved rally to land on the beach near Raglan with my 45 yr. old VW powered Turbulent not long ago. VW always a bastard to start, so decided that I wouldn't stop the engine - just in case the incoming tide beat my Armstrong starter - but as I was stationary felt the engine vibration giving me a decided sinking feeling so decided to keep moving until it was time to go. Good fun tho', which is the only reason to fly now.
Left hand side of the long thin bit that forms the very top of New Zealand is the so called 90 Mile Beach, and is used for tourist buses too, aero clubs occasionally get together to land en masse, never done it there, but got a commission to look for turtles on the beach one day, good excuse for low flying, trouble is the N.Z's have a habit of fishing using a kite to take a line far out to sea, so only low fly when the wind is blowing from sea to land !
Last edited by ExSp33db1rd; 18th July 2008 at 10:55.
