First time at a private grass strip
 

The wife was wanting to go somewhere today so we flew the Debonair to Amana Iowa, they started Octoberfest a little early. I'm a new pilot, just got my PPL in May and the Debonair at the same time.

So after a little investigation I deceided to try the strip at Amana instead of the larger field at Iowa city, this meant I didn't need to rent a car. But Ive never landed on grass so I was a little worried as it was something new. But it was a piece of cake. There was a landing fee, $5, there was a box there to drop your money. No one was there. The town was packed but there were only two planes there when I was getting ready to leave. Just me and a Mooney.

It would have been a 10 hour drive, but a little less than 3 in the plane. I was taking it easy, average around 180mph. Used $210 in 100LL.

I wish I would have started this earlier.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1348960359.jpg

Very envious. And congrats. It really is a great way to get around.

Very cool.
Jealous.

There's some old Cessna advertisements floating around the 'net about how business commuting is much more efficient in an airplane.

Was thinking maybe you went to Tim's place.
I think there's only a couple of grass landings in my logbook; has been years since I was current.
Jim

It looks like a very well kept field. It really makes your plane pop out!

I instruct in tail wheel AC and do 80% of my landings on sod strips. I have seen many AC sink in either soft grass or mud up to the axles. Once it starts to sink it is tough to get it out even at full throttle and a truck. I saw a V35 that the prop was skipping in the mud and he kept making it worse ant they had to walk away from it and find a prop shop and an engine inspection. Review your soft field takeoff procedures and have fun on the grass.

Bonanzas are suprisingly good at short fields and grass if flown with precision.

Any grass strip smooth enough for a Mooney will be no problem for a Bonanza.
Mooneys (the other airplane pictured above) have very little clearance between the prop's arc and the ground.
If the nose wheel finds a small depression, the prop will hit the ground.

Welcome to the wonderful world of "off pavement" flying! There's nothing better (IMHO) than landing on turf or dirt. Previous bird was a taildragger Maule M7, and built for back country ops. Looking at Petersons King Katmai next. Enjoy and use that license!

I learned to fly off grass strips-most GA fields in England don't have paved runways. I had to laugh when phoning to rent a plane in Tulsa and the guy warned that their strip was grass and only 2000 yards long. I regularly used a 450 yard strip near Sheffield England at the time.

Reminds me of fun days. Follow soft field procedures to the letter with your r/g airplane.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1096979531.jpg

Like these? I love grass... nothing like landing on grass in a tailwheel aircraft!

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1349194930.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1349195122.jpg

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Tom,

Let us know. Tim or myself can help you find a good taildragger. Just saw a nice one going for about $12k about two weeks ago. Fun to fly, do not cost much to run (4.5-5.5 gallons per hour) and about 90 mph. Now, if you are doing to buy a Bonanza like Dave, that goes out the window but hey, if we win the lotto why not!

If that happens, here is what I am going to be flying for fun!

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1349196213.jpg

Before you ask, yes it does land on grass!

Joe,

I took flying lessons in a Champ in 1953. It was truly great! It was the summer between high school and college and I was working for my dad as an apprentice plumber. I got the weekends off and for $30.00 I got the airplane, fuel, and instructor for 30 to 45 minutes. I was ready to solo but had some difficulty with the three point landing (I was usually a little too high off the runway when I stalled it out). Unfortunately school started before I got the landing thing down pat, never soloed, and really regret it.

If I get to Arizona, will you give me ride in your Sedan?

Tom,

The Sedan is down right now for replacing the landing gear bungees but should be back up in less than a month.

Let me know when you are coming and will take you up no problem. Gas money helps! :)

In a slip to landing at a desert strip we have out here in Arizona:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1349197349.jpg