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Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: South West Florida
Posts: 2,508
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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. 
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2000 Boxster S (gone) 1972 911s Targa (sold) 1971 911t coupe roller (sold) 1973 911t coupe / 3.2 (sold) Gruppe B #057 |
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09-29-2012, 03:14 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 7,917
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Very envious. And congrats. It really is a great way to get around.
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In Heaven… the mechanics are German, the chefs are French, the police are British, the lovers are Italian and everything is organized by the Swiss. In Hell…the mechanics are French, the police are German, the chefs are British, the lovers are Swiss and everything is organized by the Italians. |
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09-29-2012, 03:18 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Dedmonton
Posts: 1,577
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Very cool.
Jealous.
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Formerly from ratslist. AMG E 55..2002. Lotus Esprit SE. 1990 |
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09-29-2012, 03:27 PM
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You do not have permissi
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: midwest
Posts: 39,934
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There's some old Cessna advertisements floating around the 'net about how business commuting is much more efficient in an airplane.
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09-29-2012, 04:01 PM
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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
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down to jap bikes that run and a dead Norton |
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09-29-2012, 04:06 PM
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It looks like a very well kept field. It really makes your plane pop out!
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A nose heavy airplane flies poorly, a tail heavy plane flies once. |
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09-29-2012, 06:16 PM
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Gary H 1978 911 SC
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Fort Worth Texas
Posts: 1,306
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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.
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09-29-2012, 07:39 PM
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Non Compos Mentis
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Off the grid- Almost
Posts: 10,598
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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. |
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09-30-2012, 12:10 PM
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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!
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10-01-2012, 07:25 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: LEEDS ,UK
Posts: 2,169
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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.
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1986 924S bought new. Now used for AutoX and street. Chipped, throttle cam, highflow filter in original airbox/snorkel, 14mm rear sway Hyundai Ioniq hybrid daily driver Vindicator Vulcan V8 spyder, street legal sports racing car (300hp,1400 lbs kerb weight) used for sprints on circuits, and hillclimbs |
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10-02-2012, 03:21 AM
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Moderator
Join Date: Dec 2001
Posts: 9,569
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Reminds me of fun days. Follow soft field procedures to the letter with your r/g airplane.
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'66 911 #304065 Irischgruen ‘96 993 Carrera 2 Polarsilber '81 R65 Ex-'71 911 PCA C-Stock Club Racer #806 (Sold 5/15/13) Ex-'88 Carrera (Sold 3/29/02) Ex-'91 Carrera 2 Cabriolet (Sold 8/20/04) Ex-'89 944 Turbo S (Sold 8/21/20) |
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10-02-2012, 04:54 AM
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: N. Phoenix AZ USA
Posts: 28,957
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Quote:
 
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2021 Subaru Legacy, 2002 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins (the workhorse), 1992 Jaguar XJ S-3 V-12 VDP (one of only 100 examples made), 1969 Jaguar XJ (been in the family since new), 1985 911 Targa backdated to 1973 RS specs with a 3.6 shoehorned in the back, 1959 Austin Healey Sprite (former SCCA H-Prod), 1995 BMW R1100RSL, 1971 & '72 BMW R75/5 "Toaster," Ural Tourist w/sidecar, 1949 Aeronca Sedan / QB |
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10-02-2012, 08:28 AM
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78 in a '71
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: WA on the Wet Side
Posts: 4,048
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Quote:
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On glide path...... 1971 911 T Targa 2013 Ford Fusion Titanium AWD 1982 Volvo 245, 1996 Ford F-150 |
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10-02-2012, 08:35 AM
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: N. Phoenix AZ USA
Posts: 28,957
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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!  Before you ask, yes it does land on grass!
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2021 Subaru Legacy, 2002 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins (the workhorse), 1992 Jaguar XJ S-3 V-12 VDP (one of only 100 examples made), 1969 Jaguar XJ (been in the family since new), 1985 911 Targa backdated to 1973 RS specs with a 3.6 shoehorned in the back, 1959 Austin Healey Sprite (former SCCA H-Prod), 1995 BMW R1100RSL, 1971 & '72 BMW R75/5 "Toaster," Ural Tourist w/sidecar, 1949 Aeronca Sedan / QB |
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10-02-2012, 08:44 AM
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78 in a '71
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: WA on the Wet Side
Posts: 4,048
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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?
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On glide path...... 1971 911 T Targa 2013 Ford Fusion Titanium AWD 1982 Volvo 245, 1996 Ford F-150 |
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10-02-2012, 08:55 AM
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: N. Phoenix AZ USA
Posts: 28,957
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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: 
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2021 Subaru Legacy, 2002 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins (the workhorse), 1992 Jaguar XJ S-3 V-12 VDP (one of only 100 examples made), 1969 Jaguar XJ (been in the family since new), 1985 911 Targa backdated to 1973 RS specs with a 3.6 shoehorned in the back, 1959 Austin Healey Sprite (former SCCA H-Prod), 1995 BMW R1100RSL, 1971 & '72 BMW R75/5 "Toaster," Ural Tourist w/sidecar, 1949 Aeronca Sedan / QB |
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10-02-2012, 09:02 AM
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the stable a few years ago
2013 
1979 Porsche 911SC
930
1964 Special Edition (Beck) GTS/904
