What would be the tallest grass you would land in?

[Mike S]

Rocks, logs and animal burrows aside what would be the tallest grass you would land in with stock tires? I imagine that the taller the grass/weeds the more "grabby" it may be.

[PA1195]

Re: What would be the tallest grass you would land in?

Back in 1974 I operated off a 600-700' crop strip of barley with about 200' of low 6-8' brush at the ends. Taylorcraft with C-85, long flat prop, and 8:50x6 tires. When the barley got to the tire height of about 22" takeoffs got longer especially if the vegetation was wet. That was due to some drag on the tires I assume but mainly on the lower landing gear.

My mother and I barely made it off once and landed at a nearby paved strip to figure out why. The landing gear strut was covered with fresh barley stems and the tops of a few willow trees that grew at the ends of the strip.

Taller tires would help if the grass is long but wet does slow it down.

Gary

[flyguy]

Re: What would be the tallest grass you would land in?

Some time ago when I had a 12D-65 I remember taking off in grass that was variable 3/4 the height of my stock tires. Typically I would go up to near 60 and pop off the ground. I noticed as I neared 60 that the plane seemed to stop accelerating. I had never taken off in taller grass so I was a bit surprised.
DC

[Scott]

Re: What would be the tallest grass you would land in?

longer grass is a bit like powder snow (on wheels or skis), good ideal to run over it a few times before trying a takeoff. Landing is a bit more tricky because you won't find out how much arresting power the grass has until you're in it and once you're in it you're committed. Better make sure the tail touches first and there is certainly a risk of nosing over.