Our day out stripping
Spicy Meatball
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Our day out stripping
That's what I like about the forums - on Friday I make a post saying that I would like to get into farm strip flying, and on Friday evening I have an invite to go do some the very next day!
Mariner9 invited me to go to the Stoke Goulding (thin that's the correct name of the place) fly-in on Saturday - the plan was to pick me up from Ashcroft Farm (a field I used as a waypoint in my QXC) in this incredible little home-built beauty:
What a superb aircraft this is (bearing in mind I am used to flying PA38's that have seen better days!). Mike built this himself, and I must say it is immaculate and such a nice aircraft to fly. I saw Mike land at Ashcroft to pick me up:
It was extremely quiet - not a soul around:
We took off for Stoke and I was amazed at the performance of the aircraft - Mike was kind enough to let me do 95% of the flying which was superb:
We landed at stoke and sampled the BBQ and had a look around at the array of aircraft on display:
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To top it all off, Mike asked if I would like to fly to Barton (I have been thinking about joining the group there, and was going to drive up on Sunday, so to be flown in was excellent):
Barton was a cracking airfield, it looks extremely challenging with the bumpy grass runway and amount of traffic etc, but I am looking forward to flying from there soon.
Out of Barton:
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Overall, the best day out I have had flying so far, and all thanks to Mike, who is an excellent pilot (judged by the landings on such short grass strips)
with his homebuilt aircraft - superb 
This type of flying is completely new to me having learned to fly at Liverpool - it is a whole new can of worms and I very much look forward to the next day out!
Maz
Mariner9 invited me to go to the Stoke Goulding (thin that's the correct name of the place) fly-in on Saturday - the plan was to pick me up from Ashcroft Farm (a field I used as a waypoint in my QXC) in this incredible little home-built beauty:
What a superb aircraft this is (bearing in mind I am used to flying PA38's that have seen better days!). Mike built this himself, and I must say it is immaculate and such a nice aircraft to fly. I saw Mike land at Ashcroft to pick me up:
It was extremely quiet - not a soul around:
We took off for Stoke and I was amazed at the performance of the aircraft - Mike was kind enough to let me do 95% of the flying which was superb:
We landed at stoke and sampled the BBQ and had a look around at the array of aircraft on display:
---
To top it all off, Mike asked if I would like to fly to Barton (I have been thinking about joining the group there, and was going to drive up on Sunday, so to be flown in was excellent):
Barton was a cracking airfield, it looks extremely challenging with the bumpy grass runway and amount of traffic etc, but I am looking forward to flying from there soon.
Out of Barton:
---
Overall, the best day out I have had flying so far, and all thanks to Mike, who is an excellent pilot (judged by the landings on such short grass strips)
with his homebuilt aircraft - superb This type of flying is completely new to me having learned to fly at Liverpool - it is a whole new can of worms and I very much look forward to the next day out!
Maz
Spicy Meatball
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Been infected since 'ah were a nipper'
Aye me too - the problem is though, I will find it extremely difficult (if not impossible) to return the favour!
Jesus....
The generousity of people on here always amazes me
PS. Neither Ashcroft, Stoke Golding, nor Barton are short strips
Fixed+Rotary (aircraft, not washing lines)
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PS. Neither Ashcroft, Stoke Golding, nor Barton are short strips
Jesus....
PS. Neither Ashcroft, Stoke Golding, nor Barton are short strips
Jesus....
I know exactly what you mean. If anything is shorter than 14/32 at Leeds Bradford, or 02/20 at Doncaster is SHORT in my book
Spicy Meatball
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My initial fears of grass strip flying are:
1) Not landing well enough (I.e. too fast, too far down the runway etc) and not being able to stop.
2) Not taking off before the final third of the runway and making love to the hedge at the end.
Also, being used to smooth tarmac, the aircraft feels like it's going to break up with all the bumps - I think it feels a lot worse than it actually looks though
1) Not landing well enough (I.e. too fast, too far down the runway etc) and not being able to stop.
2) Not taking off before the final third of the runway and making love to the hedge at the end.
Also, being used to smooth tarmac, the aircraft feels like it's going to break up with all the bumps - I think it feels a lot worse than it actually looks though
Fixed+Rotary (aircraft, not washing lines)
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Mazzy
In all seriousness I have exactly the same concerns as you, but after landing I do find that the landing distance, on a good day, is actually quite short. It is all about having the confidence to do this on a regular basis at airstrips which are unfamiliar - note to self: must go out and do more flying
I've only landed on grass at Sywell. It wasn't as bumpy as expected but I do feel that it takes more confidence for some reason - and I've heard of grass pilots who aren't too keen on concrete. I have an unfounded fear of taking off on grass, as though the aircraft will sink into the soft earth and I'll never get into the air in time.
Mariner9 - where is that landing strip? It looks great.
In all seriousness I have exactly the same concerns as you, but after landing I do find that the landing distance, on a good day, is actually quite short. It is all about having the confidence to do this on a regular basis at airstrips which are unfamiliar - note to self: must go out and do more flying
I've only landed on grass at Sywell. It wasn't as bumpy as expected but I do feel that it takes more confidence for some reason - and I've heard of grass pilots who aren't too keen on concrete. I have an unfounded fear of taking off on grass, as though the aircraft will sink into the soft earth and I'll never get into the air in time.
Mariner9 - where is that landing strip? It looks great.
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Peterborough Sibson and Netherthorpe are both shortish grass strips to have a go at too...
As a general point, those unfamiliar with grass/ strips etc should read CAA Safety Sense leaflets 7 and 12 (Performance and Strip Sense):
http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/33/SRG_GAD_WEBSSL12.PDF
http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/33/SRG_GAD_WEB05SSL7.PDF
As a general point, those unfamiliar with grass/ strips etc should read CAA Safety Sense leaflets 7 and 12 (Performance and Strip Sense):
http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/33/SRG_GAD_WEBSSL12.PDF
http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/33/SRG_GAD_WEB05SSL7.PDF
Spicy Meatball
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it takes more confidence for some reason
EG, thanks for the links, I will take a look at them
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Originally Posted by mazzy1026
I guess that is the biggest hurdle, without being over confident of course
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Deano you can always get over the numbers problem by dragging the aircraft in on a low approach with lots of power as soon as you cut the power it will hit the deck. And before I get a grilling it is not very good practise.
Nice aircraft Mariner
David
Nice aircraft Mariner
David
1-4D, she's an Alpi Pioneer 300
For anyone nervous of short stripping, the PFA offer an excellent (and inexpensive) Pilot coaching scheme, their instructors will happily introduce you to the delights of short-stripping (albeit while continually grumbling about the performance of your PA28/38 C150/172 whatever)
Alternately, ask your instructor for an hour or so's dual stripping
For anyone nervous of short stripping, the PFA offer an excellent (and inexpensive) Pilot coaching scheme, their instructors will happily introduce you to the delights of short-stripping (albeit while continually grumbling about the performance of your PA28/38 C150/172 whatever)
Alternately, ask your instructor for an hour or so's dual stripping
Chimbu - you're right I concede 