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  • Narrow Runway Ops

    Curious for everyone's thoughts on this. I've got a shorter strip (1600' with tall trees on one end). It's also fairly narrow. We've leased the farm land around it and it seems like every year the strip gets a little more narrow. The last couple years, the guy has planted soybeans which made life easier. However, this year there's corn planted on both sides of the strip. And it's Taylorcraft-wing-high by the fourth of July. At its most narrow point, it's 50' wide with more wiggle room at the beginning of the approach end.

    Crosswinds are usually pretty tame with windbreak tree lines on either side of the runway but it still feels pretty tight. Part of me has considered putting in some "centerline" markers to have something to aim for at least.

    What are the thoughts out there? How narrow is too narrow with the impenetrable walls of corn on either side?
    Ben Lawler
    '46 BC-12D - N96986
    Rogers, MN

  • #2
    Re: Narrow Runway Ops

    Got a bush hog? ;-)
    20442
    1939 BL/C

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    • #3
      Re: Narrow Runway Ops

      My in-laws former strip was the same way. Greedy farmer who was farming the land for them kept moving in more and more every year. They finally marked the edges with markers there were not plow friendly so he had to stay back.
      Cheers,
      Marty


      TF #596
      1946 BC-12D N95258
      Former owner of:
      1946 BC-12D/N95275
      1943 L-2B/N3113S

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      • #4
        Re: Narrow Runway Ops

        Originally posted by Howard Wilson View Post
        Got a bush hog? ;-)
        Got a lawnmower that has been through hell and back that actually works for a few windrows. The blades always end up dull as can be but I can sharpen them up pretty quick. Trying to keep friendly relations with the renter though and that isn't real helpful.
        Ben Lawler
        '46 BC-12D - N96986
        Rogers, MN

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        • #5
          Re: Narrow Runway Ops

          Originally posted by M Towsley View Post
          My in-laws former strip was the same way. Greedy farmer who was farming the land for them kept moving in more and more every year. They finally marked the edges with markers there were not plow friendly so he had to stay back.
          Same story I think. That's a great idea, I may have to do the same next spring.
          Ben Lawler
          '46 BC-12D - N96986
          Rogers, MN

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          • #6
            Re: Narrow Runway Ops

            I personally wouldn't consider 50' too narrow to operate in but what's important is what YOU are comfortable with. It sounds like you need to have a sitdown with the farmer and discuss the issue. Was it ever made clear to him what the boundaries of his lease were? IF so, get yourself some elbow room. If he's reasonable, he'll understand your situation. If not, find a different tenant. If you tear up your aircraft...

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            • #7
              Re: Narrow Runway Ops

              Originally posted by fearofpavement View Post
              I personally wouldn't consider 50' too narrow to operate in but what's important is what YOU are comfortable with. It sounds like you need to have a sitdown with the farmer and discuss the issue. Was it ever made clear to him what the boundaries of his lease were? IF so, get yourself some elbow room. If he's reasonable, he'll understand your situation. If not, find a different tenant. If you tear up your aircraft...
              Thanks for the input! I actually did have a conversation yesterday with him and agreed to an extra 15'. I've got a plow on an old Allis Chalmers I'm going to use to get the job done.

              I just don't fly this thing enough to know where my limits are with something like that. I've landed a Saab 340 on a taxiway (makeshift runway) of the same width with the primary runway NOTAM'd out of service but wing clearance wasn't an issue. This was with a centerline painted, wing clearance assured, and FAA approval though. I wasn't a test pilot in this case.

              65' gives me more warm fuzzies for the T-craft though and I'm pretty sure this will work for me.
              Ben Lawler
              '46 BC-12D - N96986
              Rogers, MN

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              • #8
                Re: Narrow Runway Ops

                Invest in some ball park chalk for a centerline.
                N29787
                '41 BC12-65

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                • #9
                  Re: Narrow Runway Ops

                  Glad you were able to work out an arrangement with the farmer.

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                  • #10
                    Re: Narrow Runway Ops

                    Landed for the first time after widening yesterday and it feels fine. Made a centerline with some line paint but I'm going to make a more permanent marking with some Roundup and a rectangle template. Should be pretty visible until the grass starts to die off in the fall.
                    Ben Lawler
                    '46 BC-12D - N96986
                    Rogers, MN

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                    • #11
                      Re: Narrow Runway Ops

                      'nuff said......yesterday in 10kt crosswind.
                      Attached Files
                      MIKE CUSHWAY
                      1938 BF50 NC20407
                      1940 BC NC27599
                      TF#733

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                      • #12
                        Re: Narrow Runway Ops

                        Originally posted by 1938BF50 View Post
                        'nuff said......yesterday in 10kt crosswind.
                        Ouch, sorry to see Mike. First, hope you're alright. Second, hope the damage wasn't too extensive. That corn demands a lot of respect, could have as easily been me.
                        Ben Lawler
                        '46 BC-12D - N96986
                        Rogers, MN

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: Narrow Runway Ops

                          Severely bruised pride. I think the only damage was the gear folded under and some de-tassled corn. The compressive strength of the corn kept the wing up until I got it out on the runway.
                          Attached Files
                          MIKE CUSHWAY
                          1938 BF50 NC20407
                          1940 BC NC27599
                          TF#733

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: Narrow Runway Ops

                            Sorry to hear of your misfortune Mike but glad that you are ok.

                            11 mph is a respectable x-wind don't suffer your pride too much could do it to any of us

                            Dave

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                            • #15
                              Re: Narrow Runway Ops

                              Originally posted by 1938BF50 View Post
                              Severely bruised pride. I think the only damage was the gear folded under and some de-tassled corn. The compressive strength of the corn kept the wing up until I got it out on the runway.
                              Bad deal there, lucky no injuries. Crosswinds and sliding on skis sideways can do that to that type of damage. Did the diagonal gear strut (lower leg to bungee) folded under side load? Might be a good time to inspect them for corrosion and then have a brace tube welded on the replacement and good gear.

                              Gary
                              N36007 1941 BF12-65 STC'd as BC12D-4-85

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