Hi Greg,

I haven't fitted my Renegade out yet, so I can't offer personal experiences here but I have seen guys down here fly turbine powered Renegades and Vigilantes off paved strips that, by my estimation, were around the 350' mark. Admittedly, these guys are good, consistent pilots but it is managable.

As for choice of choice turbine, both the Renegade and Vig will take 12 pound engines and upward (some Vigilantes down here are flying with 30lbs). In terms of gear, both have substantial flex plates that appear to be able to absord plenty of abuse and run-offs as well as operating happily off grass strips.

I have seen DF Spectres fly off the same length strips, but not a turbine powered one. With a 12lb turbine I would imagine it should be doable. Maybe someone who has a turbine Spectre will chime in and give an opinion.

Personally, I'm building a Boomerang for home-field operation. No, it's not sleek and missile like but it will allow me to fly turbines whenever I want. Plus it will do a whole lot of stuff that just isn't possible with other jets and I can save my show-queens for travelling away to nice, loooong sealed strips.

Regards,
Garrett