|
|
Post by stetto on Sept 10, 2004 6:27:04 GMT -7
I have a LARGE backyard (20 acres), with rows of small (up to 5-foot) trees interspersed. At the very back of the mowed area between two rows of said trees I have a great looking runway area. the rows are separated by about 20 feet, and the area itself is approx. 300-350 feet. I already realize that this is tight quarters, but so-o-o-o-o tempting. No, I'm not clearing any of the trees.
Just what do any of you consider the minimum safe runway length/width for a 40-60 size glow a/c?
|
|
|
|
Post by ctdahle on Sept 10, 2004 7:56:08 GMT -7
Heck at sea level, I've flown from a 100 foot strip. It's the width that would worry me. If there is a bit of a cross wind aloft and you are set up in a nice crab, things go haywire fast when you drop into the wind shadow in the lee of the trees. 20 feet of runway width wouldn't give you much time to correct.
Sounds like a perfect spot for something in the speed 400 range though, like an Acro Pro or an X-250.
|
|
|
|
Post by Britbrat on Sept 10, 2004 8:44:42 GMT -7
I agree with Chris -- our strip is 50'wide & at times it all gets used.
|
|
|
|
Post by Grug - American Neanderthal on Sept 10, 2004 9:00:50 GMT -7
You have seen my runway, its about 25' with maybe 10 in rough grass rollout (counting the berm speed reducers  ) I have a fence about 30' parallel to one side but all open to the other, and I have not had too much trouble with that part of it, except for one incident with a hay feeder that will get anyone banned at the mere mention...but I digress.  Anyway, 20' is very tight but possible if you are very comfortable with the plane, until the trees get bigger then its going to be trouble. If the trees are a good wind break it will negate some of the cross wind at low level anyway, if not they will keep adrenelin flowing for you.  Either way with them that close you can probably count on a meeting of them and plane at some point. Personally I would worry more about take offs than landing. |
|
|
|
Post by stetto on Sept 11, 2004 6:13:47 GMT -7
Well Eric, I worry about all of it anyway ;D, but in place of your berms I have a 4 foot tall thistle and wildgrass wall...In fact the overflight area is not a place I'd like to lose a plane...  I have considered acquiring an electric to acclimate myself to the tighter parameters of the runway area. The last place I flew (besides FUBAR International ) had a 100' wide by 800' runway... I am uncomfortable with all my planes right now, including the SlowPoke. This field behind my house is just so darn convenient tho... |
|
|
|
Post by Patch on Sept 22, 2004 22:35:07 GMT -7
don't "clear" the trees, just move them to a better location!
I'm kinda looking for a new place in the country. Whe my wife and I drive by a place, she's looking at the house, I'm wondering how many trees I'll have to "relocate" for a decent strip.
|
|
Wayne
Story teller
Posts: 167
|
Post by Wayne on Oct 13, 2004 20:06:56 GMT -7
snicker...snicker .....snark........... you forgot to mention the road, the "club parking area", and of course the corn field on the other side of the road.....not that anyone would land a Dragonlady there or anything.......
|
|
|
|
Post by propnuts on Dec 11, 2004 14:15:00 GMT -7
Years ago, in fits of desparation, I tried flying out of a terraced school parking lot, edged with trees. Take off was no problem, you could stand behind it and make all of the corrections you wanted to be safe. I found the landing is where the peril came in. Now that I think about it, these were both with electrics. One was the PT Electric and the other was the Electrostreak. The issue became landings. The Electrostreak I flew over a soccer field which was "edged" with trash cans. I realized I was likely to "nail" one on landing as I couldn't eyeball their location relative to landing while on approach. The other downside of electrics had something to do with the problem, when the juice goes, you have to land, there is no "go round" option. I decided to keep the position of the trash can landing "set" by standing next to it. What I didn't allow for was my tendency to walk while flying. When I noticed the power drop and set up for landing, I suddenly realized I was no longer standing next to the trash can and I had no real idea where it was. I tried to sneak a quick peak but couldn't locate the trash can. I set up and was mentally calculating where the can was. At the last second, I decided I was wrong and "slipped" over a couple of feet. Smoothly done, but totally wrong! I took the can head on! Damage was minor; my ego was bruised more than the plane hitting a light weight can.
The other landing was teaching a fiend how to fly with his PT Electric. I set up for landing and was focused on the approach. All was good, up until I had to make the transition to approach to fly past. It was at that point that the weakness in my technique became apparent. I put his plane right into a plane eating tree!
The fly in the ointment was my approach to the landing. Used to landings at the club field, I had always done landings from a point mid-field and from the side. The correct approach would have been to stand at the far end of the runway and watch the approach, being able to keep the plane and all obstacles in view.
Whatever you do, just keep my object lessons in mind.
|
|
|
|
Post by Britbrat on Dec 11, 2004 17:13:13 GMT -7
Live & learn -- it's always cheaper with someone else's bird ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by Richard on Mar 12, 2005 16:31:41 GMT -7
With my Sig SE and Saito 72 I could take off in 15 ft and land in 25 Ft. She is overpowered with 2" added to rudder, 1" on the elivator. I use flaprons, full up elivator then nail the throttle and she will go forward a few ft. then up at a 45 degree angle. Landing is the same come down at 45degrees with hardly any forward motion. You have to be throughly comfortable flying your bird for stol flying.
|
|
) I have a fence about 30' parallel to one side but all open to the other, and I have not had too much trouble with that part of it, except for one incident with a hay feeder that will get anyone banned at the mere mention...but I digress. 
Either way with them that close you can probably count on a meeting of them and plane at some point. Personally I would worry more about take offs than landing.
