"Jim Logajan" wrote in message
.. .
Andy wrote:
I agree with most of that but it may be too simple an answer. You need
to know what crop is grown in the area you are flying and how tall it
is likely to be at that particular time of year. You also need to
know how it is watered or irrigated. Landings in siphon irrigated
cotton fields, that are common in Arizona, can be made safely with no
crop damage if you are able to keep both wheels in the same furrow and
if the cotton is still short. On the other hand I know of a glider
that sufferered significant fuselage damage on landing in a recently
plowed field. The dirt clods were as hard as concrete and up to a
foot across.

Wow - does this mean I need to get an endorsement for agricultural science
on my certificate before I solo, or just before attempting a cross
country?
;-)

Wouldn't hurt.

I agree with what Andy wrote. A freshly cut crop like a wheat stubble field
is a great runway. Fallow wheat fields are nice too.

Wheat stubble is usually brown, however, not green. Uncut wheat looks
almost the same until you are low enough to see the "waves of grain" and
then it may be too late to pick something else. If you land in standing
wheat, close the air vents. I didn't and got a very upset hornet in the
cockpit with me.

Big, hard clods in a plowed field are a problem for gear doors if not more.