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Member for

12 years 10 months

Posts: 118

Hi all (again)

Thank you for replies to my last thread, just another quick one that peeps may have thoughts on? I have an option to buy 900x50ft strip of grass and wondered what light aeroplanes if any could operate out of it:confused: or is it not long enough and stuck to microlights??? Please do not worry about the legal beagle stuff (yet :D). I also understand its talent related but just after an overview from fresh eyes of weird and wonderful machines that could handle that short run safely.

Thanks

Original post

Member for

12 years 5 months

Posts: 172

By light, how light? You have about 270m or so of grass, you would get a 152 down with a skillful pilot but taking off on a hot, nil wind day two up would be another matter. Depends what the approaches are like either end as well, does it have trees, pylons etc?

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 16,832

Wot Dave says.

I'd be very wary of operating any of the everyday GA types out of a strip that short.

That really is microlight territory in my opinion.

Moggy

Member for

12 years 11 months

Posts: 6,535

Group A light aircraft ?

Zenair 701 & 750 & 801. Rans SE6. Eurostar possibly. Best all rounder next to the 701 tho' a VLA - Ikarus C42.

John Green

Member for

12 years 5 months

Posts: 172

Just had a look at our POH for the PA28-161 Warrior II which is about as bog standard a spamcan/trainer as you can get. With CAA safety factors dialled in the sea level, max weight, 25C landing figures over a 50' obstacle on short, flat, dry grass are 1710 ft. The take off figure over a 50' obstacle is a staggering 3730 ft.

I would say with some certainty that Moggy is right, microlights only. Or as John says, some of the LAA types. Even then I think I'd be wary. Friend of mine runs a Piper Cub and his limit is 400 metre strip.

Member for

12 years 10 months

Posts: 118

Erm,
Well its very very clear of anything to hit infact its sparse even for fenland, It does have an arrester ditch one end though!! And sounds like I maybe need a bit longer as I have a tigermoth, traumahawk to try squeeze out of it (no ppl yet mind). I understand book figures and charts etc just wondering what people do get away with! Does anyone know what a pawnee is like on the run, as I have a fancy for one I have been offered!:D
I also understand I'm in the low fuel and solo to another airfield cat, would just be handy to keep the planes at home when not in use through winter etc

Cheers Jon

Member for

12 years 5 months

Posts: 172

It's OK geting them in, it's geting them out you have to think about! 900' is doable if you wait for the wind etc but getting out is another question. A Pawnee would manage it with a ten knot headwind, half fuel and standard day (plus a not knackered donk and a pilot who knew what he was doing).

Plus you have to think about what if you don't have a headwind and it's 30C.