There's a strip in North Devon where I can only, only just turn the Super Cub around on it, so that's what 20-25 feet? I have been reduced to the ignominy of stopping the engine, getting out and pulling it round. Luckily I was on my own.

QDM

interesting thread, I'm thinking about purchasing either a fixed wing micro or a vla. However living on the Bucks / Oxfordshire boarder, hanger fee's, if you want to join a queue is just plain stupid, in this location.
So before I commit, I'm after a farm strip and barn to store ( wings folded or not ) in the M40 corridor or thereabouts, any info greatfully received

Just to get things in perspective, Welshpool Airfield's runway is 18m wide, and the approach is between the hills and over a main road which tends to have high trucks driving along it. And I learned to fly there, as did many others. Just thought I'd mention it.

Oh, and another interesting point. A few people fly from (or into) Ashbourne disused airfield. The runway is full of ruts and potholes, with just a narrow strip at the side that is sort of flat, that you can land on. How wide is it? About the width of the wheels of most light aircraft.

Not farm strips, I know, but interesting, so hope no-one minds the digression.

No worries WB I used the words "farm strip" as I may have the opportunity to rent some land in which i deem to be a cracking flying spot. I've measured it 630m but I was wondering theres about a 1m tall wall or so to one side, are there any rules n regs regarding that?

All in I reckon the whole area I'd like is 15 acres or 60,000m2 all I need to do now is calculate what I think it is worth before I commit some readies to planning. I've made some enquiries and arable land is leased at around £100 per acre per year which seems ridiculously cheap.

Any carrot crunchers here know better?

Ben

The only rule or reg is the 28 day rule and you had better just hope your neighbours aren't counting.

Could you not have a strip down the middle and let them grow turnips at the sides?

QDM

Ah yes, well ... That's the agricultural value, and usually on a rather more substantial area than 15 acres. Try renting a pony paddock for that!

You may be lucky if you find a friendly farmer willing to rent at near agric rates ... but don't hold your breath!

SS

Having not been here for a while I have just read this thread with interest. I could qualify as a carrot cruncher I suppose but those who know me are aware that I prefer lightly steamed asparagus.

To revert back to the original question, there is no real minimum or maximum. I put mine in at 24 metres wide because that is the width of my crop sprayer. My view is that if I ever have to treat it I will have an easy job on my hands. However, since installing it (1989) I have made one end wider. This is because there is a camber half way down heading west and I have seen flying buddies veer dangerously close to the neighbouring crop on more than one occasion.

I have been to strips that are undercarriage wide and others that are 300 acre fields so there is no hard and fast rule. I am in the process of (gradually) installing a new one not far from Newbury and it will only be 6m wide and 400m long but will have less use than my base and will not be accepting visitors.

On another subject, someone mentioned a good point earlier about the lonliness of having your own strip. It can be pretty borong and I often find I miss the rainy day atmosphere at places like Popham when I go to the strip and it's pouring down. Also, the concerns I have about having an unwitnessed accident grow year by year and this is something that I feel uncomfortable with.

This time of year, strip ownership is a nightmare while the grass is growing like it is. I was mowing until 2145 last night and am praying for the growth to slow down. It's ok for the more wealthy type of "gentleman farmer" like stiknruda as he will have dedicated people to do this kind of thing for him but unfortunately this isn't the case for me:rolleyes:

I actually get more pleasure from going to the strip to escape from things than actually flying sometimes! It takes about 10 minutes to wander the length and back and its amazing how calming that can be after a day of hassle.

Finally, things have changed in farming. Until 18 months ago a strip was seen by a farmer as a waste of productivity and a waste of land that he could claim production subsidy on. Commodity prices are surpressed and the new subsidy regime is based around being paid for meeting strict rules of compliance for responsible land care etc. Therefore, an acre of wheat that used to attract £95 subsidy (grass attracted none) can now bw grassed down and the farmer can still claim the subsidy subject to a few criteria.

There are many fields now being taken out of production permanently and I personally feel that there has never been better scope for the establishment of new strips around the country. It might be that microlighters will be able to put their own in rather than visiting unannounced in future....:*

Farmers are an good bunch despite their reputation as gun-weilding boundary pacers. They are businessmen/women who want to make a sustainable profit from their land and will not welcome proposals that clearly do not reward in any way. I believe that sometimes life isn't all about using money to do a deal and you will be surprised what kind of mutually convenient situtaions can be put in place so that both parties are happy with their lot without a pound exchanging hands.

With regard planning permission, lease a 50 metre wide length, split it into 5 x 10 strips with electric fencing and use each strip 28 times a year. This gives you 140 flights a year. Have seen it done in several places and am yet to hear it hasn't held water with the men with clipboards.

If this isn't in your nature then just make sure you fly sensibly. "Take off and bugger off" is the best way to summarise responsible strip flying. On your return just spiral in from 2000 ft with a trickle of power and nobody will hear you return. Deliver a few Christmas hampers with aerial house shots in envelopes to the owners of very closely situated houses. It all helps keep the neighbours happy.



Off to crunch a carrot...

Oh Mono - you should have tried harder at school:E

Yes it is true that I have a peasant per 20 acres but over here in Narfalk (and good) they are plentiful. I find that they prefer an annual wheelbarrow of sugarbeet to a handful of my "estate currency" which can oly be spent in the farm shop - obviously at retail rates:D

On a serious note, I totally agree with the "take off, bugger off and no aeros or circuits". In 8 years of operating from my front garden I have only ever received one complaint from a neighbour and that was because a chum elected to do his aerobatic display over her garden with smoke on. I'll take anyone who lives close by flying as they all then become good ambassadors for what is widely perceived as a costly, dangerous and environmentally unfriendly activity.

As Leighton, the postie has just delivered my very large SPS cheque, I think I'll go and order a new John Deere with those lovely hydrostatic drive 7 gang mower sets. That'll improve the farmhand's productivity, one pass up and one pass down and the strip will be cut in a conservative 11 minutes. Shame you live so far away mono as I'll let the ag machinery ring know about it and you could hire it and my peasant!!

Stik

Mono wrote: "With regard planning permission, lease a 50 metre wide length, split it into 5 x 10 strips with electric fencing and use each strip 28 times a year. This gives you 140 flights a year. Have seen it done in several places and am yet to hear it hasn't held water with the men with clipboards."

Sorry, but the men with clipboards have fought and won cases which courts have upheld that there is a concept of a "planning unit" - any or all of the land under one operator's control has only one 28-day ration.

As I keep saying on various fora, beware free planning advice from non-specialists (including mine now if you wish - but this happens to be true.)

Chris N.

Strip size
 

West Sussex, Jackrell's Farm nr. Horsham, & in Lockyear's Guide (Pooleys don't care to ask !).
550m x 11m= 1 1/2 acres to cut -takes the Fergie an hour - set in the middle of a 16 acre hay field.
Used by Jodels, Emeraude, Cubs, Miles Messenger (once), Cherokee 6 & microlights.