landing on rough field
 

Hi all,

I have 60 acres of clear pasture to learn to fly a trainer on. However, even when mowed the grass is not all that smooth, it is what I have heard folks refer to as "clump grass". It literally grows in clumps about 5-6 inches in diameter. Also there ar thousands of hoof prints in the dirt from past years of cattle grazing.

My question is, will most ARF Trainer landing gear be suitable for this kind of field landing, or do I need to look at a park flier with no landing gear?

Here ia a pic of the grass (and my dog) to give you an idea. It may look somewhat smooth, but when you walk on it, you can feel the clumps of grass under your feet.

http://www.karensphotos.com/MontanaA...0060510-26.jpg


Thanks

RE: landing on rough field
 

put big wheels on your plane.

It'll probably be alright.

You might have some "nose overs" so you might also keep a few spare props around.

Or...you could roll it with one of those landscaping rollers; enough for a runway.

I wish I had your problem....

Dave
AMA 847123

RE: landing on rough field
 

wow mregister.....i wanna fly there with you! looks like it would be awesome to say the least. it's beautiful there. as for landing in rough stuff...larger wheels will help. i use three inch diameter and they work fine on our grass field. i dont know if you'd be able to go larger or not. i have a set of four inch wheels and the hub is quite a bit thicker than the three's. i'll bet the fours would work nicely for you. let us know how you make out. "happy flying!"

RE: landing on rough field
 

Big wheels, keep the prop small in diameter for ground clearance and get a plane that lands slow and soft. You may need to change the gear to allow for bigger wheels. Many bent aluminum or composite main gears available and a Fults nose leg can be installed that is extra tough.

Nice dog too. Like the "collar".:D

RE: landing on rough field
 

Ok everyone, PARTY at mregister's house! :D

Well, here's what I would do if I were faced with your terrible dilemma.

Find someone with a bulldozer and remove a section of that grass about 30' wide by 200' long.

RE: landing on rough field
 

Clump grass sux . Spray a strip 12 ft wide and 100 ft long with weed killer .Take your tractor and disc smooth. Buy a roll of commercial landscape fabric 12x 100 and lay down. Use big staples on the edges.
Next , fill fridge with beer , then when beers cold , let us know. Also , do you have RV hook ups ? Do you take Visa ?
Yup , Clump grass sux.

RE: landing on rough field
 

Wow great looking place. however not good for airplanes. even bigger wheels wont do much good (besides bigger wheels means more drag) I agree wih moondoggie and minflyer make a strip. but if there is a club nearby id go there get with an instructor.
when all that is done can i come and fly at your new field? I can see it now welcome to BFE Montana International Airport.

RE: landing on rough field
 

you should set up a club!:D:D:D

RE: landing on rough field
 

Well I retire in 5 years. Would you be interested in selling the property.... then you wont have to worry about the clump grass:D

RE: landing on rough field
 

Thanks for the input everyone!

I will go ahead and prep me a flat area with a scraper.

As for the view, I do not have any vanity shots of my view, but it is quite spectacular. Attached is a pic of my entrance before home construction. The view is great and it is a great place to live if you have got partying and staying out all night out of your system. Pretty quiet here and a great place to fly a plane.

http://www.karensphotos.com/MontanaA...0060510-03.jpg

Thanks Again!

Mike-Ronan, Montana

RE: landing on rough field
 

If there isn't much traffic, you might take off and land on the road.

RE: landing on rough field
 

Beautiful place, so cool, and so pretty dog, wow, If I had a place like this, I would be flying my model there from sunrise till sunset:D

Mody

RE: landing on rough field
 

Woossie, Haven't you heard of LED navagation light kits for these planes:D

RE: landing on rough field
 

Mr.Stang

Lol:D About LED Navigation light kits I have seen only the photos in the gallery, but never thought to use it, but now thinking to use 'em :)

Thanks for the advice:)

Mody

RE: landing on rough field
 

Now you're just showing off Mike!!!!!!

:D

You're a lucky man!

RE: landing on rough field
 

Mike, Iknow I'm alittle late getting in on this but would still like to contribute.
I have a similar situation here in western NY. Live in the middle of hundreds of acres of farm land. Cash crops though, no livestock. The land owner has allowed me enough room for runways. Two, 200ft one way, 100ft the other. Works out great, I don't have to go anywhere to fly. But, you do have to find a way and dedicate a spot for airstrips. Due to lack of equipment it's taken me 3 yrs, but I've finally got smooth "grass".
As far as for your location, I gotta say I'm also in envy. I looove airplanes but I have to admit my first love is running sled dogs. Winter's gotta be fantastic there. 4 time Iditarod champion Doug Swingley's from Lincoln.
TGC

RE: landing on rough field
 

I have flown a 4*40 off of an alfalfa field in the fall. It worked ok.

RE: landing on rough field
 

You could build a hand launched, belly landed SPAD. I did most of my learning on this plane...

RE: landing on rough field
 

You call those mountains?

Come down to colorado and then you'll see mountains

(we have 54 peaks over 14,000 ft., while montana has a wopping........ 0)

But I will admit you have some beautiful land.

Be safe and have fun

RE: landing on rough field
 

Don't make me remind you of Mount McKinley! Sporting a wopping 20,320 ft peak, tallest in N. America. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_McKinley
Former Alaskan/Washintonian before the Air Force moved me to the Mole hills of the south Apalacian.

RE: landing on rough field
 

Alaska my have the biggest peak in north america, but Colorado still has more big peaks

just to re-cap Colorado has 54 fourteeners (peaks above 14,000), while Alaska has only 21


The old joke about Colorado is "Colorado would be the biggest state in the country, if you strech it flat"!

RE: landing on rough field
 

Pretty country,I'm a country guy also.What does it look like when you run a lawn mower over it.I don't think any model airplane would be able to land on that deep of grass.My strip is fairly rough,and the prop sometimes does a little weed eating on takeoff and landing.I have a few friends that fly at my place that fly taildraggers,and they seem to work pretty good on the rougher fields.A lot of guys on here would kill to have your place. Have fun flying--------------BIGMIG

RE: landing on rough field
 

Mike, you have a beautiful place! I've been to Montana a few times and I must say, it's my favorite state in the nation...given my choice, I'd move there now.

RE: landing on rough field
 

WOW![X(] yeah that is a good place ta fly but the grass sure is thick:D lol

RE: landing on rough field
 

I don't know, but isn't it usually 5 months of winter and snow covered ground, with temps in the teens there? Better get some ski's and do something else in the summer, like build some kits. :D I think the snow will smooth it all out for you.