jofunk

I thought it would be interesting if people could comment on what they are flying and what the minimums in runway the models could comfortably operate on. I have seen large jets use very little runway and small jets use quite a bit of runway and vice versa. I know there are many factors but in general I think the comments would be informative. Some will handle grass with no problem and that would also be interesting to know.

David Jackson

My Feedback: (15)

Our local flying site has a 50'×400' paved runway. Model that I have flown from this runway have included SM PC-21, SM 1/7.5 F-4, Rebel Pro, Aurora, FEJ 1/4.5 J-10, Boomerang XL, FB MB 339, Hot Spot, and quite few other smaller turbine powered models.

Models that others have flown from our local site are Small and large Futura, SM 1/6 F-16, SM 1/4.75 Hawks, Carf Flash and Lightning, Eurosport Yellow large F-18, BVM/JL YAK 130, and many small and large planes.

extra 300

My Feedback: (3)

length of the runway is not the only important criteria. a 400' runway could be deadly if located on top of hill with hostile surroundings leaving no room for mistake. Don't ask how i know this fact...

Regards,

aquaskiman

My Feedback: (46)

45X600 use all of it at 5400 ft with a 1 6.5 skymaster F-86

FalconWings

My Feedback: (57)

There was a summer when I was flying a 1/8 Tamjets F-16 with smoke tanks with a lazy P-70. Our runway was 450' and I remember praying for my model to get airborne as it reached the last half of the runway.....It always did, sometimes more gracefully than others.

On that same runway, my Ducted Fan Yellow F-16 would not takeoff on a hot summer day. It was still fun trying.

David

raron455

My Feedback: (38)

Have an 800 ft runway, but Use less than 1/2, I wouldnt want to try anything under 300ft . 1/6 skymaster F16, K210 almost 49lbs wet

RCFlyerDan

My Feedback: (54)

For some, I don't think it is how much asphalt the jet requires, but rather; How much asphalt does the pilot need to safely operate his jet.

RC Larry-RCU

My Feedback: (1)

We only have 300ft of paved, with grass run off each end. No problems with large SM hawks, SM Vipers, and several other sport jets. Also have SM F-18s, F-16s in and out without issues. I agree with RCFlyerDan. I think it depends more on the pilot and his abilities. We had one member fly an Ultra Bandit there once, but it required he nail the landing exact. Couple of practice approaches were needed to size things up, but he got it done. I admit I had a heavily loaded Cougar that I would not chance it with. But it required at least 300 feet to even get off the ground. One thing is for certain. The longer the runway is, the more of it pilots will take up. Our jet rally offers us 4500' X 150' and I can assure you guys use all of it!!!!! lol

ravill

My Feedback: (11)

I'm of the opinion that the approach is the most telling feature.

300' sounds awful short, even with clear approaches.

I've flown with 400' with clear approaches but that was tighter than Hillary's grip on the oval office.

erbroens

200 meters of runway with no obstacles like trees or towers at the surrundings is about right. A Interesting fact is that micro/small jets and XXL ones seem to need subtantially shorter runways than the average sized jets.

The tomahawk XXXL viper and hawk land in absurd short distances. You can safely operate this two in about 150 /100 meters of runway.

Zeeb

My Feedback: (41)

Bingo!

I have two friends who can fly my turbines better than I can and I honestly believe that folks like Ali or Pablo don't even worry about runway length.... lol

luge_racer

I've flown my Navy Cat and HSD Super Viper off 300 feet with room to spare for both take off and landing. I tried flying my SM F-15 there and while she took off okay, using all but 10 feet of the runway, I wasn't able to get her back on safely. I usually fly her off a 450 foot strip with relative ease. I'm hoping I shouldn't have a problem with my GJC Mig 15 at the 300 ft runway.

RCFlyerDan

My Feedback: (54)

+100% And to have the experience to tell that a sport jet has a totally different approach angle of attack then a fighter jet. The issues that I see most is not being able to tell the approach speed down final, and not reading the attitude of the aircraft on the approach.

txshan130

My Feedback: (114)

I fly off a 650' x50' runway. My F100 needs all of it, Ultra flash needs about 300-400 feet and my classic Flash needs in between the UF and 100. BTW this is not starting straight at full throttle for take off like some guys do

tp777fo

My Feedback: (28)

Shortest I ever needwd was about 2' . Straight in from 500ft. Didnt even have to use brakes.

jofunk

Very impressive Tom. How many months wad it before the next flight

RCFlyerDan

My Feedback: (54)

ROtflmao!

DrScoles

My Feedback: (18)

None if the grass is smooth enough ;-)

dubd

I have a friend who couldn't land the GJC MiG-15 in less than 600-800 feet. It probably touched down at 400' and bounced for the rest. Lol

LGM Graphix

My Feedback: (22)

My jets need a lot less pavement than my fingers do!!!
Jets like my Firebird and Raptor come in pretty fast so the roll out is the biggest issue. The firebird probably takes about 800' to stop. Raptor close to the same. Kingcat takes very litte, bobcat takes a bit more.