Thread: Transitioning to soft fields

I've been flying strictly paved strips and would like to try some grass strip landings. Besides the obvious, like holding off the nose, are there any tips for this? I'm 0 flap lander and sometimes use 15. Is 0 going to be coming in to fast for a grass strip? I think I touch down at about 40-45 using 0... I feel like I have to be delicate with the plane and don't want to damage it. When flying my buddys Warrior we just beat the heck out it on landings but it can take it....

Thanks guys!

With 0 you will touch down quite fast.

I almost always land at 30 and with x wind at 15.

I would practise 30 degree landings first and once proficient try the grass strip.

I'm with josjonkers on this one. Most of my landings are in fields with maybe a half dozen a year onto tarmac and my preferred flap setting would be 30 and with any wind go to 15 degrees. Too much speed onto undulating grass will bounce you back in the air so practice landing with a lot less energy than tarmac runways. As regards the airframe coping with the rougher strips take a look at this photo of a typical strip over here and you'll understand when I say as long as you keep the nose off the groung till the last bit of the ground run these planes can take any amount of 'normal' strips. This strip was two fields and the hedge in the middle was reomoved but the transition from one to the other was stiil evident when landing. Also the approach for that day was from the right hand side over a builders yard which meant not touching down till almost 1/2 the runway was gone. So yes, they can take it but keep the nose up!
Mac

I concur with the issue of speed - too much and the airplane will easily pop back into the air over bumps.

As for flap setting, remember that the tail gets fairly low to the ground in the flare with 0 or -6 flaps. I use 30 flaps on grass or bumpy fields to put in lots of drag so airspeed and lift bleed off quicker. Keep the nose just of the ground and let the speed bleed off - this also keeps the prop further off the ground.

It's a controversial technique, but if you land with 30 flaps, you can retract them once you touch down - this will help kill lift and increase braking action. The down side to this is that if you ever transition to a retractable gear plane, you might wind up retracting the gear ... which might be very expensive...

Doug

Also concur with 30 flap for soft fields winds permitting, 15 with stronger crosswinds. 30 flap allows for nice slow nose up touchdowns, and with a touch of power you can keep the nose off the ground until your about 20-25 kts. Practice 30flap approaches on your paved strip, and make them accuracy landings to a certain touchdown pont like a taxiway intersection or a runway intersection. This will get you very proficient at power management and will improve your overall landing performance.

Regards
Eric
Copper City Aviation Services

Flaps 30 when winds permit. Also, do not brake hard on gravel unless the alternative is running off the end. I know more than one pilot (in other than CT's) who have braked hard on gravel only to find this can, and does, throw gravel into the prop. I don't see that a CT would be any different. Also, if on gravel, practice techniques that will minimize prop damage during start up, break free, turning, etc.

What is the length about 300 meters?

We had our CT at a 1600' turf strip, completely surrounded by trees, for a few years until recently. We always use 15 flaps. It really depends upon the field itself. Some are pretty nice and smooth, while others are pretty rough. Regardless of the flap setting, try to bleed off as much speed as you can before touching down. I love landing on turf fields - easy on the tires and brakes.

Originally Posted by ctcw

I'm with josjonkers on this one. Most of my landings are in fields with maybe a half dozen a year onto tarmac and my preferred flap setting would be 30 and with any wind go to 15 degrees. Too much speed onto undulating grass will bounce you back in the air so practice landing with a lot less energy than tarmac runways. As regards the airframe coping with the rougher strips take a look at this photo of a typical strip over here and you'll understand when I say as long as you keep the nose off the groung till the last bit of the ground run these planes can take any amount of 'normal' strips. This strip was two fields and the hedge in the middle was reomoved but the transition from one to the other was stiil evident when landing. Also the approach for that day was from the right hand side over a builders yard which meant not touching down till almost 1/2 the runway was gone. So yes, they can take it but keep the nose up!
Mac

ctcw-What is the length of the field in the pictures, about 300 meters?

bugbuster,
Sorry for the delay i didn't realise you were addressing that question to me. That field is slightly less than 300 yards and with the approach blocked with the tree and builders yard on final I wasn't able to get down till after the parked aircraft so it shows what these planes are able to get into with a bit of practice.
Mac