Thread: Operating off grass

I'm very glad to have found this forum. I'm considering a purchase of a high wing aircraft in the next year. I'm currently flying an Archer through a club. I have about 470 hours and 50 in a DA - 20 C1. I think my skill level is average. I'm very interested in flying from grass strips although that is not what I now do. I'm wondering about the short and narrow wheelbase of the CT. Also, I'm wondering if anybody has any info on the tundra tire option vis - a vis the grass.

Hi Grandpa,

The CT is a German design and very popular there, I believe most CT pilots there use grass.

With or without the tundra gear the CTSW makes a very good grass field plane. It s very short and rough field capable.

My flying partner and I operate from a 1900' turf field that is surrounded by trees. The regular tires seem to work fine. The only concern I have vs. a paved runway is that the next day or two after a good rain makes flying pretty messy, but it's nothing that a hose and couple towels can't take care of.

The price is right ($80/month hangar rent) vs. $240 or more at the nearby paved runways. For periods of prolonged forecasted rain, we have talked about moving the plane and tying it down for a couple days at a paved field - but we haven't actually done it yet.

Hi Grandpa,

I have flown my CT from a grass strip. I like the tundra tires better for this because I can reduce the tire pressure to 20-22 psi and allow the tire to help take up some of the shock absorbtion while flying in and out of anything , but a smooth surface. The smaller tire is set at 29 psi and rougher ground would transmit more of the uneven ground effect into the frame. The softer larger tire will span bumps and help soften the vibration and bumps that get transmitted to the frame.
Both tires will work, but I think the tundra tires are a little better suited for this in my opinion. I fly mostly off a paved surface and I still only keep 20-22 psi in my tundra tires. The larger tire can handle the lower pressures better than the smaller ones. I very happy that I went for the larger tires.

Originally Posted by Grandpa

I'm very interested in flying from grass strips although that is not what I now do. I'm wondering about the short and narrow wheelbase of the CT.

Hi Grandpa! We seem to be based at the same airport! Send me a PM --- I can take you flying in my CT if you want.

During my training, I landed at the grass strip at Candlelight Farms (11N) in my 2005 CT-SW, which has the regular tires. It was always dual, and it seemed pretty straightforward although I haven't tried it solo yet.

I have been landing and taking off at the Grass Strip at Columbia, CA (O22) with no problems.

I think the CTsw with the Tundra package is the way to go for short and/or rough field operation.

I plan on landing at my 2300' grass strip, (4800' elevation) in Idaho, (ID35) later this spring.

Alan,

Where is your strip in Idaho??? I live in Salmon, and have my CT in a hangar there.

Bob Deurloo

Bob,

It's a little north of Boise at High Valley Swanson's, (used to be High Valley Bill's). It's before you get to Cascade and a little west.

Go to www.airnav.com and type in "ID35" to see the picture I took and sent in. I own seven acres on the bottom right side of the picture, (next to the fence).

I plan to fly their right after the CT fly-in at KMMV.

Have you flown into any of the remote grass strips in Idaho ?

Bob,

Here is the link to my strip, http://www.airnav.com/airport/ID35

Hi Alan,

Pretty area.