Chiefs and grass strips

mtw · Post by **mtw** » Wed Aug 05, 2009 12:10

I am currently keeping the Chief at a local airport (5A4). However I am working on expanding a grass strip at home that I used to use for ultralights. I am working to get the strip lengthened to 1,800--2,000'. I do have the proverbial 50' oak trees on the north end. I would only look at solo operations out of here.

I was interested in the types of grass strips that some of you were flying your Chief in & out of and your experiences.

Thanks,

Todd Wilemon
Aberdeen, MS

MikeB · Post by **MikeB** » Wed Aug 05, 2009 12:50

Hi Todd,
I keep my Champ (65 horse) on a 2100' grass strip and fly out at close to gross with no problems. Obviously, it's better we just me at 165# but seems to handle it OK. We have about a 300" overrun on either end with power lines on one end and trees on the other.

You can check it out at AIRNAV (3WN9) and get a better picture. I'd love to have my airplane 'at home'.

Mike

mtw · Post by **mtw** » Wed Aug 05, 2009 13:00

Hey Mike,

Thanks for the info. I left out that I am also behind a 65 HP.

Thanks again,

Todd

Senior · Post by **Senior** » Thu Aug 06, 2009 08:16

Hilltop 2000' private strip here, 50' trees at both ends & lining one side. Getting out with 350lbs of flesh (not me by the way

that's pilot & co-pilot) & full bulkhead tank is not a problem. Might be a bit tight on a hot heavy day but we've not seen one of those here yet this year. It seems our runway has a proverbial crosswind

so we are cutting a notch in the trees on one end to get down below at least some of it on approach.

Crisp 65hp & 74" x 42 pitch prop here.
Wish I had an 85hp thou

mtw · Post by **mtw** » Thu Aug 06, 2009 08:23

Senior,

I appreciate your input.

Thanks,

Todd

Jonathan · Post by **Jonathan** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 08:34

Here in the UK I fly from a 550m (1800ft) strip, A75 Chief.
Either trees/roads/industrial buildings both ends.

Never cause me a problem even at max weight.

Jon

mtw · Post by **mtw** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 09:14

Jon,

Thanks for the info from across the pond!

Todd

Clive · Post by **Clive** » Sat Aug 15, 2009 23:59

I've been flying my '38 65-C Chief from a 1500' grass strip for about 20 years. It has mostly clear approaches but rising ground of about 200' at the end which is generally upwind. Never really had a problem getting off, almost always towards the rising ground, even loaded with two biggish guys. We also have an 85hp Champ, a Stinson and a Murphy Rebel on amphibious floats and none of us has really had any problem.

I sometimes fly into a local strip which is only 900' long. A one way uphill strip with 50' trees right on the approach end and a hangar at the other end with no run-off area. You have to come in over the trees and take off downhill from the hangar end, regardless of the wind. I don't think I'd want to go in there with a passenger, but one time I did try a real short field landing and the old Chief was stopped well before half way.

I've found that the shortest take-off can be achieved from the 3-point attitude, holding neutral elevator, as Livingston describes in his book on flying Champs.

mtw · Post by **mtw** » Mon Aug 17, 2009 08:31

Clive,

I appreciate the input.

Thanks,

Todd

mtw · Post by **mtw** » Mon Aug 17, 2009 12:07

Clive,

I am not familiar with the Livingston book on the Champ. Do you have his full name and the title of the book?

Thanks,

Todd

Post by **joea** » Mon Aug 17, 2009 12:14

Robert Livingston, 'Flying The Aeronca.

mtw · Post by **mtw** » Mon Aug 17, 2009 12:25

Thanks, I will check it out.

mtw · Post by **mtw** » Tue Aug 18, 2009 12:49

Joe,

I have looked high and low for the book you recommended and have struck out. Do you have any info on where it can be purchased?

Thanks,

Todd

Post by **joea** » Tue Aug 18, 2009 14:24

Todd,

Its out of print. Maybe someone has a copy you can borrow?

mtw · Post by **mtw** » Tue Aug 18, 2009 14:29

Thanks for the heads up.

Todd

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