Minimum Runway Requirements

[Acroeric]

Tribe- My wife and I just bought a farm and I think I have enough room to have a little airstrip. It looks like I will have a good 1000 ft. and it is down hill about 40 feet over the entire length making it a one way in and one way out strip. I have flown into and out of a 600 ft. strip that had an approach about a mile long over a corn field with no trouble but my approach is not quite as good. I wanted to see if there were any other guys operating this short on a routine basis. The plane will be a 0-200 powered non electric BC12-D clipwing with a 74-43 seaplane prop. Take off performance is about the same as a C85 powered non-electric BC12-D with stock long wings.

[crispy critter]

Short Field

Eric,
My ex-wife has a field on her place(used to be mine ).I used to keep 2100 feet of it mowed until we split,now her current husband and her father use most of it for farm land.I managed to talk her into keeping 1000 feet of it mowed so I don't have to drive an hour each way when i pick up my daughter and drop her off.They plow right up to the 1000 feet mark and then drive across the end which leave ruts in it so I only have about 900 feet of flat useable runway.It is a little short taking off with the plowed ground behind me because there are trees on the oposite end.I have went in and out hundreds of times in a stock T-craft(65 hp)with full tanks(24gal)and never used much more than half of it for t/o or landing.
Right now I take a Cessna 170 in and out of it all the time.I always t/o over the plowed ground,sometimes I land over the trees if the wind is strong but it's tight!Remeber,this is 900 feet of flat grass.So if you are going to be going in up hill and going out downhill then you should not have any problem.
Kevin Mays

[lktiller]

My strip has about 3000 ft from tall tree to tall tree. Only 1000' in the center is usable for touchdown.
That means my approach has only 1000' ft on either end with touch down at the beginning of the smooth strip in the middle.
I go into a full slip at 55mph, 500 ft agl, at just the right spot to aim at my touchdown spot. Straighten up, flare and touchdown all in one smooth motion.
I can drag it in over the treetops at 60mph and land without slipping, but that gives no room for an engine burp on approach.

If engine goes out before I start the slip, I have plenty of pastures to choose from. If engine burps after I start the slip (and it has), I can continue the landing as planned.

Takeoff is with 2000' clear in front. Plenty of room. On these cold days I'm over the trees by 50 feet. Hot summertime I don't fill the tanks or take a passenger and still over the trees by 25 feet.
75hp BC12-D

My T-craft will climb at 50mph and 500 fpm and won't travel very far forward. I climb at 60 @ 700fmp on the VSI.

[Robert Lees]

Larry, I think those are good numbers...50 for best angle of climb, 60-65 for best rate of climb.

In 25kt steady headwind, try a climb at 45mph. Even better angle of climb, but slightly nose high and more prone to gust effects!

[matsuthunder200]

Eric I have a 46 bc12d with a 90 hp cont. I i fly in and out of a frinds 700ft strip all the time without a problem with a pass. We dont have a heat problem here in alaska. but performance drops alot when above 70. I would say you wouldnt have a problem at all on a 1000 ft strip. takeing off down hill is a big pluss.

[Howard Wilson]

Eric, You've probably checked already...The local zoning ordinance could influence what "they think you need" for runway length and approach and departure areas. I know our County has these specs. Hopefully your County is more progressive:-) Howard

[Acroeric]

Thanks for the replies. . . I think I will be fine- with it being downhill especially. As for the zoning - as long as it is my personal airstrip it is no problem. (unless teh neighbors complain!)

[crispy critter]

Short fields

Hot D#!m Ron,
We have some interesting fields in east Ky but that sounds like fun with all the telephone lines and stuff.Where are you at,I'd like to come out there and give it a try.
Kevin

[jrzangger]

As with everyone else, we know the Taylorcraft will certainly perform in and out of 1,000ft runway in normal circumstances. My caution would be to anticipate the abnormal situations you may encounter and be prepared for them. My personal preferance for a Taylorcraft runway is 2,000x100. To make a comparison, flying any part 25 airplane there are performance charts available for different conditions. Runway is always determined by the worst performance possible (single engine) and provides enough extra to survive. Some operators in foriegn countries ignore the safety margins and operate on the length of runway they personally know is needed for takeoff (ground roll) only. If they would ever lose an engine they would know why the charts were made. I know a Taylorcraft is always single engine, but if you ever encounter circumstances beyond your control you may wish you had just a little longer runway!

[CajunGrasshoper]

Mim runway

I am reading all your inputs about getting in and out of these short runways. Question , What pitch prop are you using? Std. 74x45 ? or something more in the climb range 41 or 42 ? Wood or metal? I am using a 74x40 Wood on my L-2 on my 1700 ft grass and solo is okay, but with two on board, marginal. I have a 74x45 metal on my BC-12D and can only static 1900, would like to get a little better than that in a wood. Suggestions?

[jrzangger]

I'm using a metal McCauley 74/43 (climb) on an A-65, which I personally believe is the best all around prop. I don't think the wood props give quite as good of performance although they are more "vintage" appearing. I get a static runup of 2075 or so and at full throttle level flight it just hits or slightly exceeds 2300. I think that's right where it should be. 45 or 47 pitch props might make you think you're going faster but if you run the same rpm as a lower pitch prop all you're doing is increasing the manifold pressure and running the engine much harder and your fuel flow will increase accordingly. A good friend was running a higher pitch prop and had a hard time climbing with the rest of us during formation flight. He repitched it lower and is much happier with the performance.

[CajunGrasshoper]

Thanks jr

I did change my prop yesterday. I had a new McCulley 74X41 and put it on, Got the RPM's I needed and didn't slow me dow but 5-7 mph. At 2100 I am doing right at 100 indicated. With the GPS I was doing right at 80 knots (need to change to MPH to be on the same page). But I am happy with this prop. However I do like the wood for the looks. On my L-2 I have a 74x40 and it workd well also About 90 MPH. The L-2 is about 100 lbs heavier than the BC-12.

Does any one have any pictures of radio installations in the panel of the BC's . I am interested in installing panel mounted Radios rather than the handheld's

Thanks
Lee
Cajun Grasshopper

[braceville]

Field approval

Lee I'll try to get a picture this weekend. A friend uses the Glove box to hold it all I think. that way keeping away from a 337.

[stormman]

runway radios and props

Grasshopper
I built a box about 12 or so inches deep for my Com 760 that attaches to the floorboard in front of the seat, puts the radio upright. I take the radio out when i leave as its worth as much as the plane! I have a 70 x 42 metal prop and i think i could take of in 2000 feet with out the wings, but you guys sure make me want to get them back on. Think i will go pat her this weekend and get some pics of the brakes for Lawson. Maybe change the oil for good luck. I think Eric Is BAITING us?

[CajunGrasshoper]

Norm

Thanks Norm, would love to see pictures, if you can get them. Decisions, decisions. Love all three of my airplands. The L-2, the BC, and the Cherokee 140.

Going to fly the 140 today, Rain tomorrow, but Sunday looks like a maybe so the BC is up next.

Lee