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Old 02-16-2009 | 06:10 PM
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From: Park Rapids, MN
Default RE: Elevator use during landing approachs

Yes, the old flying field the old club flew from had a pine plantation at one end, about one hundred feet from the threshold. These trees are 50-60 feet tall now and is why there is a new place we fly at. However, when the trees were 30-40 feet tall, you could land from that direction doing the following. Stand near the threashold and always keep the airplane above the high horizon the trees made. When you know the plane is close to you, you can let it dip below the treeline.

Another method I use is watching the plane; but, also observing with peripheral vision, when it's shadow crosses onto the runway. Naturally this only works when there is sunlight enough to cast a shadow and the shadow is cast in a direction that is helpful for this to work. Our runway is maybe 600 feet long and 300 feet wide. My airplanes stop rolling, after 50-100 feet. The field is big enough that touching down on the threashold is not important. Generally I fly from mid field and I land at mid field.

The old runways at the old field were two crossed runways at 300 in length, one 75 feet wide and one 50 feet wide. The new field being so much bigger has made me much more sloppy about hitting a spot, then I was flying from the small field.