Landing Strip
11-05-2004, 01:20 PM
#1
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Landing Strip
Over the summer, I mowed out a runway in an old cowpasture. It is rough as hell, but I can take off and land on it and not hurt my plane. Any suggestions on how to make it smoother during the winter or any maintenance suggestions?????
Thanx alot!
Thanx alot!
11-05-2004, 02:44 PM
#2
RE: Landing Strip
If you want, pm me or email me and we can discuss what I did for my runways out of old cow pasture. It's coming along... You can download it also from the Realflight site, just look for Bingo Field.
11-05-2004, 03:35 PM
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RE: Landing Strip
We smoothed out our field by taking an old I-beam, about 10" wide and about 14 ft. long - loaded it with concrete blocks, and dragged it behind a tractor at an angle. Not only did it smooth out the field nicely, it raked the stoned into windrows for easy pickup.
11-05-2004, 05:53 PM
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RE: Landing Strip
there are a few ways.....
I think the drag mentioned is an option.....
or you could roll it when the ground is moist....I have a few acres and I am preping my back field for flying.....
it is not an overnight thing......
just keep rolling it and it will slowly smooth out........
I think the drag mentioned is an option.....
or you could roll it when the ground is moist....I have a few acres and I am preping my back field for flying.....
it is not an overnight thing......
just keep rolling it and it will slowly smooth out........
11-05-2004, 08:27 PM
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RE: Landing Strip
Making a runway is more complicated than most people want to beleive.
All of the above comments are valid, time and persistance are key.
Depending on the local soil you may have to add drainage, roll it annually, fill in cracks with peat moss and plant new grass seed.
This is a time consuming project that will keep you busy - a labour of love.
Good Luck!
All of the above comments are valid, time and persistance are key.
Depending on the local soil you may have to add drainage, roll it annually, fill in cracks with peat moss and plant new grass seed.
This is a time consuming project that will keep you busy - a labour of love.
Good Luck!
04-01-2005, 09:50 PM
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RE: Landing Strip
I use a section of chain-link fence, rolled up partially, with a piece of old log(for weight), and drag it behind my truck. Works pretty good on our dirt runways. On the rare occasions we actually get rain, we have several people drive back and forth down the runways in their cars/trucks to pack it.
It takes a LOT of time, especially for a 1200'x75' and a 500'x50' (both dirt/weed) runway.
And my truck get really dirty.
It takes a LOT of time, especially for a 1200'x75' and a 500'x50' (both dirt/weed) runway.
And my truck get really dirty.
04-02-2005, 06:10 PM
#7
RE: Landing Strip
Wheel packing can be a real help to get started but as said it does take time. I have also used an old pallet with chain link on the bottom as a drag-- worked fine for me. With the pallet you can put different weights on it to vary the drag to correspond with the amount of moisture in the ground. With either method don't drive to fast, that just tears up wat you are trying to do. ENJOY
04-02-2005, 08:37 PM
#8
RE: Landing Strip
I roll mine frequently, alternating the direction I roll it in whenever I cut the grass. I overseed in the spring with rye grass which tolerates the early spring sogginess, and later on, the dry cracking soil I have. I keep it rolled /cut to 1 3/4 - 2".
04-03-2005, 09:40 PM
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RE: Landing Strip
A 1200' runway???!!! Wow. I would still nose over my P-51.
ORIGINAL: cwrr5
I use a section of chain-link fence, rolled up partially, with a piece of old log(for weight), and drag it behind my truck. Works pretty good on our dirt runways. On the rare occasions we actually get rain, we have several people drive back and forth down the runways in their cars/trucks to pack it.
It takes a LOT of time, especially for a 1200'x75' and a 500'x50' (both dirt/weed) runway.
And my truck get really dirty.
I use a section of chain-link fence, rolled up partially, with a piece of old log(for weight), and drag it behind my truck. Works pretty good on our dirt runways. On the rare occasions we actually get rain, we have several people drive back and forth down the runways in their cars/trucks to pack it.
It takes a LOT of time, especially for a 1200'x75' and a 500'x50' (both dirt/weed) runway.
And my truck get really dirty.
