Grass is cool.

juxtapilot · November 7th, 2007, 04:31

I meant to post forever ago, but whatever... Anyway, I finished up my 112 stagecheck last week on the 28th I think..? My stage pilot was very cool, and even took me to Warren to land on the grass. I flew over the airport to "look at the windsock" buying some time to figure out how I actually am going to do a REAL grass landing. That was my first real experience with a grass runway. EVER! It was so cool. I think I was more happy that I landed on a grass runway, than I was with the "112/14 Sat." I seriously can't wait to do it again, because that was one of the most fun things I have... No that was the most fun thing I have ever done flying. It was almost cooler than my first solo. That's all I got. I won't disect the checkride. That's what we have the PTS for.

Woohoo! Grass is cool.

Micaoct · November 7th, 2007, 09:10

That's cool. I still haven't done a real soft-field landing yet. I've been meaning to do it on one of my XC's but with the time constraints and lack of grass fields, haven't been able to. There was a water runway...but I don't think that would of ended up too well.

Congrats on your check ride....for the billionth time. After your post I think I might ask my instructor and see if I can go do a grass landing on my next lesson. I don't want to get to 222 and still have no real soft-field landings.

esa17 · November 7th, 2007, 09:13

I'd say half of my 1000+ landings are on turf, nothing beats it. Any schmuck can hit a clearly marked paved runway. It takes some skill to get into a hole in the trees.

Glad you enjoyed it!

UAL747400 · November 7th, 2007, 10:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by esa17

I'd say half of my 1000+ landings are on turf, nothing beats it. Any schmuck can hit a clearly marked paved runway. It takes some skill to get into a hole in the trees.

Glad you enjoyed it!

Eh, not too many trees where we're at. It might be more accurate to say that there are NO trees.

Congrats on the stage check!

MrLeisure757 · November 7th, 2007, 11:12

Wait until your first gravel landing. That is a rush.

the_dmn8tr · November 7th, 2007, 11:37

Congrats! I remember doing a soft field at park river and a truck slamming on its brakes thinking we were going to hit as we came in. Those are the fun times.

TXaviator · November 7th, 2007, 14:32

hell YEAH. another bush pilot in the making!!

check this out, notice, a water landing...without floats!

http://www.poplargroveairmotive.com/...es/Teaser2.wmv

the_dmn8tr · November 7th, 2007, 15:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXaviator

hell YEAH. another bush pilot in the making!!

check this out, notice, a water landing...without floats!

http://www.poplargroveairmotive.com/...es/Teaser2.wmv

That is just plain awesome.

juxtapilot · November 7th, 2007, 15:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by esa17

I'd say half of my 1000+ landings are on turf, nothing beats it. Any schmuck can hit a clearly marked paved runway. It takes some skill to get into a hole in the trees.

Glad you enjoyed it!

When I was back in PDX flying, and having fun doing so, I went to a small airpark (2S6) near my home base. The runway was only 50 feet wide so it was pretty fun. It was a rush to take off off there, and make the right turn through the gap in the trees. The runway is 2500+ feet long so it was plenty for this low hour PPL.

I can't wait to try an obsticle approch with grass!

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXaviator

hell YEAH. another bush pilot in the making!!

check this out, notice, a water landing...without floats!

http://www.poplargroveairmotive.com/...es/Teaser2.wmv

MORE!!!

UAL747400 · November 7th, 2007, 15:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXaviator

hell YEAH. another bush pilot in the making!!

check this out, notice, a water landing...without floats!

http://www.poplargroveairmotive.com/...es/Teaser2.wmv

Oh hell yes!! We watched a 40 minute version of this in advanced aerodynamics.

juxtapilot · November 7th, 2007, 15:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by UAL747400

Oh hell yes!! We watched a 40 minute version of this in advanced aerodynamics.

Do you have T Z for that class?

UAL747400 · November 7th, 2007, 16:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by juxtapilot

Do you have T Z for that class?

Yeah, I had it last spring. WORTHLESS class! I wanted to take it with Trapnell, but he's doing research right now. Easy 'A' I guess, but I enjoy aerodynamics and kinda wanted to get more out of it than I did.

esa17 · November 7th, 2007, 18:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by juxtapilot

When I was back in PDX flying, and having fun doing so, I went to a small airpark (2S6) near my home base. The runway was only 50 feet wide so it was pretty fun. It was a rush to take off off there, and make the right turn through the gap in the trees. The runway is 2500+ feet long so it was plenty for this low hour PPL.

I can't wait to try an obsticle approch with grass!

My favorite place in the world to land is a little strip in East Texas owned by a buddy of mine. Its 2000ftx45 and 600ft off the east side are some MASSIVE oil storage tanks that belong to Sunoco or something like that. Its literally just a hole in the trees that are anywhere from 30 to 60ft tall and if you are just 5kias too fast you might as well go around. You've got to be on your game every time or you'll make the news.

AngelFuree · November 7th, 2007, 18:43

It always surprises me how many instructors never take their students out to the grass strips. We have grass runways all over, why not use them???

Congrats on the stage, btw!

esa17 · November 7th, 2007, 18:45

Our insurance carrier won't allow us to take students to grass runways.

Bignellyxx · November 7th, 2007, 21:16

Yeah all the kids are doing it!!!

BuickCFI · November 7th, 2007, 21:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by juxtapilot

I meant to post forever ago, but whatever... Anyway, I finished up my 112 stagecheck last week on the 28th I think..? My stage pilot was very cool, and even took me to Warren to land on the grass. I flew over the airport to "look at the windsock" buying some time to figure out how I actually am going to do a REAL grass landing. That was my first real experience with a grass runway. EVER! It was so cool. I think I was more happy that I landed on a grass runway, than I was with the "112/14 Sat." I seriously can't wait to do it again, because that was one of the most fun things I have... No that was the most fun thing I have ever done flying. It was almost cooler than my first solo. That's all I got. I won't disect the checkride. That's what we have the PTS for.

Woohoo! Grass is cool.

if you ever want to go play on the grass again, give me a call, we can PD a WARR for dirt cheap and split the cost.

juxtapilot · November 7th, 2007, 21:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by AngelFuree

It always surprises me how many instructors never take their students out to the grass strips. We have grass runways all over, why not use them???

Congrats on the stage, btw!

Yeah, I wish I would have done more grass landings. Crazy that I haven't before. Glad to be done with 112 though thank you sir.

ChadW346 · November 8th, 2007, 03:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXaviator

hell YEAH. another bush pilot in the making!!

check this out, notice, a water landing...without floats!

http://www.poplargroveairmotive.com/...es/Teaser2.wmv

Ha, that airport (the one hosting the site) is like maybe twenty minutes from my house back home. VERY, very cool place to check out.

beckyanne19 · November 8th, 2007, 23:22

[quote=AngelFuree;725358]It always surprises me how many instructors never take their students out to the grass strips. We have grass runways all over, why not use them???

My CFI is taking me to my first real grass strip on Monday. I'm looking forward to it - it just looks so much shorter than the regular runway and there's a pond at one end and the paved runway at 90 degrees on the other end. She said she didn't get to do a real soft-field when she got her PPL. She also said not to worry about the length - you slow down in a hurry when the wheels touch down.

BuickCFI · November 9th, 2007, 01:03

[quote=beckyanne19;726410]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AngelFuree

It always surprises me how many instructors never take their students out to the grass strips. We have grass runways all over, why not use them???

My CFI is taking me to my first real grass strip on Monday. I'm looking forward to it - it just looks so much shorter than the regular runway and there's a pond at one end and the paved runway at 90 degrees on the other end. She said she didn't get to do a real soft-field when she got her PPL. She also said not to worry about the length - you slow down in a hurry when the wheels touch down.

depends on the surface, over at CKN today we did not slow in a hurry and had to use brakes

airplanerik · November 9th, 2007, 01:06

[quote=BuickCFI;726472]

Quote:

Originally Posted by beckyanne19

depends on the surface, over at CKN today we did not slow in a hurry and had to use brakes

Yeah, ditto. Same up at Warren the past week. We didn't have to use the breaks, but still ended up having a pretty decent ground roll. It almost seems like a hard surface this time of year! However, long green grass in the middle of the summer -- you will definitely be slowing down in a hurry...

BuickCFI · November 9th, 2007, 11:46

[quote=airplanerik;726476]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuickCFI

Yeah, ditto. Same up at Warren the past week. We didn't have to use the breaks, but still ended up having a pretty decent ground roll. It almost seems like a hard surface this time of year! However, long green grass in the middle of the summer -- you will definitely be slowing down in a hurry...

yeah, it almost feels like hitting a wall

AngelFuree · November 9th, 2007, 12:24

I think the grass at Warren is still a little bit tall. I actually parked the airplane and walked to the grass strip (no, there were no airplanes landing in the area) to see how tall the grass was, I was curious. Well-trimmed grass like Crookston's doesn't stop you as fast, however.

AngelFuree · November 9th, 2007, 12:26

[quote=beckyanne19;726410]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AngelFuree

It always surprises me how many instructors never take their students out to the grass strips. We have grass runways all over, why not use them???

My CFI is taking me to my first real grass strip on Monday. I'm looking forward to it - it just looks so much shorter than the regular runway and there's a pond at one end and the paved runway at 90 degrees on the other end. She said she didn't get to do a real soft-field when she got her PPL. She also said not to worry about the length - you slow down in a hurry when the wheels touch down.

Not sure how long or wide your grass strip is, but I think most tend to be a lot wider than paved runways. They look short and chubby due to the illusion the 200 ft width gives you. Which airport were you referring to?

November 7th, 2007, 04:31	#1
juxtapilot Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Portland Posts: 871	Grass is cool. I meant to post forever ago, but whatever... Anyway, I finished up my 112 stagecheck last week on the 28th I think..? My stage pilot was very cool, and even took me to Warren to land on the grass. I flew over the airport to "look at the windsock" buying some time to figure out how I actually am going to do a REAL grass landing. That was my first real experience with a grass runway. EVER! It was so cool. I think I was more happy that I landed on a grass runway, than I was with the "112/14 Sat." I seriously can't wait to do it again, because that was one of the most fun things I have... No that was the most fun thing I have ever done flying. It was almost cooler than my first solo. That's all I got. I won't disect the checkride. That's what we have the PTS for. Woohoo! Grass is cool.

November 7th, 2007, 09:10	#2
Micaoct Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: KGFK/KPDX Posts: 314	Re: Grass is cool. That's cool. I still haven't done a real soft-field landing yet. I've been meaning to do it on one of my XC's but with the time constraints and lack of grass fields, haven't been able to. There was a water runway...but I don't think that would of ended up too well. Congrats on your check ride....for the billionth time. After your post I think I might ask my instructor and see if I can go do a grass landing on my next lesson. I don't want to get to 222 and still have no real soft-field landings.

November 7th, 2007, 09:13	#3
esa17 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: JAX FL Posts: 490	Re: Grass is cool. I'd say half of my 1000+ landings are on turf, nothing beats it. Any schmuck can hit a clearly marked paved runway. It takes some skill to get into a hole in the trees. Glad you enjoyed it! __________________ Being captain is about pure intuition and heart, a good captain can't have either one.

November 7th, 2007, 11:12	#5
MrLeisure757 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: . Posts: 752	Re: Grass is cool. Wait until your first gravel landing. That is a rush.

November 7th, 2007, 11:37	#6
the_dmn8tr Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Olathe, KS/ Grand Forks, ND Posts: 420	Re: Grass is cool. Congrats! I remember doing a soft field at park river and a truck slamming on its brakes thinking we were going to hit as we came in. Those are the fun times.

November 7th, 2007, 14:32	#7
TXaviator Old Skool Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: in a backpack. Posts: 2,338	Re: Grass is cool. hell YEAH. another bush pilot in the making!! check this out, notice, a water landing...without floats! http://www.poplargroveairmotive.com/...es/Teaser2.wmv __________________ CPL AMEL-I 206 TT / 25 ME ...and a YOB. 1st Place* - Sportsman - Doug Yost Aerobatic Contest 2nd Place - Sportsman - Illinois State Open Best 1st Time Sportsman - Midwest Aerobatic Challenge

November 7th, 2007, 18:43	#14
AngelFuree Old Skool Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: G-Forks, ND/ NYC Posts: 3,220	Re: Grass is cool. It always surprises me how many instructors never take their students out to the grass strips. We have grass runways all over, why not use them??? Congrats on the stage, btw!

November 7th, 2007, 18:45	#15
esa17 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: JAX FL Posts: 490	Re: Grass is cool. Our insurance carrier won't allow us to take students to grass runways. __________________ Being captain is about pure intuition and heart, a good captain can't have either one.

November 7th, 2007, 21:16	#16
Bignellyxx Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 152	Re: Grass is cool. Yeah all the kids are doing it!!!

November 8th, 2007, 23:22	#20
beckyanne19 Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Minnesota Posts: 38	Re: Grass is cool. [quote=AngelFuree;725358]It always surprises me how many instructors never take their students out to the grass strips. We have grass runways all over, why not use them??? My CFI is taking me to my first real grass strip on Monday. I'm looking forward to it - it just looks so much shorter than the regular runway and there's a pond at one end and the paved runway at 90 degrees on the other end. She said she didn't get to do a real soft-field when she got her PPL. She also said not to worry about the length - you slow down in a hurry when the wheels touch down. __________________ Becky

November 9th, 2007, 12:24	#24
AngelFuree Old Skool Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: G-Forks, ND/ NYC Posts: 3,220	Re: Grass is cool. I think the grass at Warren is still a little bit tall. I actually parked the airplane and walked to the grass strip (no, there were no airplanes landing in the area) to see how tall the grass was, I was curious. Well-trimmed grass like Crookston's doesn't stop you as fast, however.

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