Landing in a field?
01-28-2007 | 08:12 PM
#1
Landing in a field?
I have the NexSTAR select that I just got. When I do learn to fly it, how do you think it will hold up landing in a pasture? I don't have a suitable spot with a paved landing surface real close by. There are however, several cow pastures around that have low cut grass that I have considered flying in and landing in. Just wondering if the plane will hold up to that?
01-28-2007 | 08:27 PM
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 310
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From: toronto,
ON, CANADA
RE: Landing in a field?
I fly off grass as do many others, it will have to be cut fairly short for you to have a take off roll, as well as keep the prop clear of the grass.
You may need slightly bigger wheels on the plane as well.
Best bet would be to find a club near by, or worst case a very well maintained pasture.
You may need slightly bigger wheels on the plane as well.
Best bet would be to find a club near by, or worst case a very well maintained pasture.
01-28-2007 | 09:02 PM
#3
RE: Landing in a field?
The standard wheel size for grass fields is 3". Wheels smaller than that tend to try to push through the grass rather than roll over it. Note: On some planes the steering wheel is smaller than the main wheels by by 1/4". If that is the case then then use 3" wheels for the mains and 2 3/4" for the steering wheel. [8D]
01-28-2007 | 09:10 PM
#4
RCU Forum Manager/Admin
My Feedback: (9)
RE: Landing in a field?
If the grass is more like a mowed lawn then you should be ok. But if it's like the cow pastures we had on our farm you can probably forget about it as they are going to be too rough to land or take off from. Do you you have a dirt road or area with mowed grass you can use??
Ken
Ken
01-28-2007 | 09:23 PM
#5
RE: Landing in a field?
http://www.modelaircraft.org/ClubZip...?z=39461+&d=50
Looks like closest AMA club may be near Mobile.
Check with your LHS for anything else local. Must be something.
Looks like closest AMA club may be near Mobile.
Check with your LHS for anything else local. Must be something.
01-28-2007 | 09:58 PM
#6
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 216
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From: Newton,
KS
RE: Landing in a field?
It can be done, but your question was basically is it going to be hard on the airplane. Buy extra props, plan on straightening the nose gear a lot, expect the landing gear getting caught in things and flipping the aircraft on take off and landing. You can fly there but it'll be hard on the equipment. Oh and watch for the cow made land mines
01-28-2007 | 10:03 PM
#7
Senior Member
My Feedback: (3)
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,282
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From: Bloomington,
MN
RE: Landing in a field?
Some of your problems are going to be cumulative. That fuel spill in the nose is going to weaken the structure up there. Landing on a rough, uneven field is going to place additional stresses on that area when you bobble a landing (and you will, more than once!). If you're learning without an instructor, that'll only further complicate your challenges.
Most farms have at least somewhat smooth dirt roads between fields. Any chance of using one of those? The problem there will be in having the necessary skill to land on a narrow strip--you can't get it without practice.
Most farms have at least somewhat smooth dirt roads between fields. Any chance of using one of those? The problem there will be in having the necessary skill to land on a narrow strip--you can't get it without practice.
01-28-2007 | 10:59 PM
#8
RE: Landing in a field?
When I used to fly two channel powered gliders (just after ice out when we still had to watch out for stepping in mamoth turds) I set the propeller to idle out in a horizontal attitude when the fuel ran out and landed with no wheels on her belly in pastures.
If the grass isn't short you're going to have a problem with landing. If you have to hand-launch to take off you're probably better off with a skid instead of wheels.
If the grass isn't short you're going to have a problem with landing. If you have to hand-launch to take off you're probably better off with a skid instead of wheels.
01-29-2007 | 05:58 AM
#10
RE: Landing in a field?
I'll just look around for a better place to fly. There is a club in Hurley which is about 40 miles or so from my house. That would be a pain in the tail to go that far everytime I want to fly. I should be able to find a place with a dirt road to land on. If I did decide to go with larger tires (not sure what size is on mine now) how will that affect the flying of the aircraft? I suppose it would only slow it down somewhat and I would need to recheck the CG once I had them installed. It really shouldn't have much effect on the CG though, just a little more weight.
01-29-2007 | 08:57 AM
#11
RE: Landing in a field?
I had almost the same issues when I first started. The grass field I started flying from was rough and the grass was touching the prop. I would cut a lot of grass before finally taking to the air 
.
I bought a larger nose wheel and that kept the prop from cutting the grass. For the rough area, if you own the land see if you can roll it to get smoother.
. I bought a larger nose wheel and that kept the prop from cutting the grass. For the rough area, if you own the land see if you can roll it to get smoother.
01-29-2007 | 12:28 PM
#12
Senior Member
RE: Landing in a field?
ORIGINAL: YellowHawk
I'll just look around for a better place to fly. There is a club in Hurley which is about 40 miles or so from my house. That would be a pain in the tail to go that far everytime I want to fly. I should be able to find a place with a dirt road to land on. If I did decide to go with larger tires (not sure what size is on mine now) how will that affect the flying of the aircraft? I suppose it would only slow it down somewhat and I would need to recheck the CG once I had them installed. It really shouldn't have much effect on the CG though, just a little more weight.
I'll just look around for a better place to fly. There is a club in Hurley which is about 40 miles or so from my house. That would be a pain in the tail to go that far everytime I want to fly. I should be able to find a place with a dirt road to land on. If I did decide to go with larger tires (not sure what size is on mine now) how will that affect the flying of the aircraft? I suppose it would only slow it down somewhat and I would need to recheck the CG once I had them installed. It really shouldn't have much effect on the CG though, just a little more weight.
Nothing wrong with flying in the pasture but you will learn to fly quicker and better by flying with others.
Bill
