How to land on a grass airstrip

Doug wrote:

Depends on the grass. Grass strips vary from putting green smooth to
plane riping holes, rocks and logs. Examine grass beforehand.


Funny, I've never seen a grass landing strip that had rocks and logs.
If you are landing off-airport that is certainly a possibly, but the
subject clearly says airstrip, just random field out in the middle of
nowhere.


Matt

A Lieberman wrote:

On Sat, 17 Jun 2006 18:14:25 +0100, Quilljar wrote:


No difference, just land normally...


Incorrect advice.....

You want to land as softly and as slowly as possible on a grass strip.

Baloney. He didn't ask about landing on a soft field, he said a grass
airstrip. Grass doesn't imply a soft field at all.


Also want to keep the nosewheel off terra firma as long as possible so it
doesn't run the risk of "digging in" from the weight of the engine and prop
when the nose wheel does touch down.

Again, only if this is a soft field. Grass strip isn't synonymous with
soft field. If you don't know the difference, I suggest some remedial
instruction.


After touchtown, the yoke should be full aft.

This is true for all landings :-)


Taxiing on soft fields is also significantly different. You hold the yoke
back full aft and taxi with more power to ease the pressure of the nose
wheel.

Right, but he didn't ask about a soft field.


Matt

unicate wrote:

drclive wrote:

Can anybody point out a good bibliography or article that describes the
differences in landing on a grass airstrip for the first time, tips and
advices? Thanks


Ben Hallert wrote:

Rent a CFI?


Matt Whiting wrote:

A CFI to land on a grass strip? If he needs that then he
better get his money back from his original CFI.


Why is it so out of the question for him to get a CFI to go with him if
he's never landed on grass before? Maybe it's common where you are, but
in many places, you're not allowed to practice landing on anything but a
paved runway with rental aircraft while training for your private pilot
license. Most schools/clubs prohibit landing rental aircraft on
unimproved (grass, dirt, etc.) strips, regardless of your ratings. We
all should know how to do a soft-field landing, but if you've never done
it and would feel more comfortable (and are willing to pay for) bringing
a CFI with you, why should that be a problem or a reflection on anyone's
"original CFI"?

You are the second person who can't distinguish between a grass strip
and a soft field. I guess you both need some remedial instruction. Any
competent private pilot or soloed student even should have no problem
landing on a grass strip. If they do, their instructor should have his
or her license revoked.


Matt

drclive wrote:
Can anybody point out a good bibliography or article that describes the
differences in landing on a grass airstrip for the first time, tips and
advices? Thanks

Actually, I find my landings are better on grass that hard surface. I
feel real good then go to my homme airport with asphalt and do terrible.
A friend of mine has a 3000' E/W grass strip right up on a lake. Fun to
fly in and out of. However, you have to watch landing in the evening to
the west. The sun will blind you. Because of the upslope, protocol is to
land up hill to the west and take off downhill to the east and over the
lake, unless the wind is such that that you should use the appropriate
runway. 90% ofthe time the wind is out for the south.

--
Regards,

Ross
C-172F 180 hp
KSWI

Ross wrote:

drclive wrote:

Can anybody point out a good bibliography or article that describes the
differences in landing on a grass airstrip for the first time, tips and
advices? Thanks

Actually, I find my landings are better on grass that hard surface. I
feel real good then go to my homme airport with asphalt and do terrible.
A friend of mine has a 3000' E/W grass strip right up on a lake. Fun to
fly in and out of. However, you have to watch landing in the evening to
the west. The sun will blind you. Because of the upslope, protocol is to
land up hill to the west and take off downhill to the east and over the
lake, unless the wind is such that that you should use the appropriate
runway. 90% ofthe time the wind is out for the south.


I agree. I love landing on grass. In the C150 I learned in, I could
hear and feel the blades hitting the tires and knew just when touchdown
was going to occur. It made for consistly smoother touchdowns. Also,
grass is much easier on the tires and brakes.


Matt

A Lieberman wrote:

On Sat, 17 Jun 2006 18:34:42 GMT, Matt Whiting wrote:


drclive wrote:


Can anybody point out a good bibliography or article that describes the
differences in landing on a grass airstrip for the first time, tips and
advices? Thanks

What sort of differences? Landing on grass isn't much different than
hard surface unless the grass is very tall, very wet, or hiding mud. :-)


I'd have to disagree with you on this.

It also depends on the soil composition. If it's clay and dry and hard as
concrete, yes, no difference other then the grass that you describe above.

If it any other type of soil composition where the weight of the plane may
sink a little, then soft field take off and landing techniques are in order
(yoke full aft when on ground and prop is turning).

See my other postings on the technique.

Allen
See earlier message of mine on landing on grass, but one should always
know the soil of the intended grass runway and taxi with the yoke full
back. The 3000' field I mentioned is in perfect condition. But I have
been on some that are very rough. This field will drain quite nicely,
but there are soft spots that you need to know about. We had to push a
Warrior out of the soft spot one time. He was trying to taxi out with
full power and four adults in the plane. We got him to get the other
three out and with a little engine and pushing in the right spots he got
out.

--
Regards,

Ross
C-172F 180 hp
KSWI

In article ,
A Lieberman wrote:


How does one do this from pattern altitude at an airport they have never
been to?


With a low, slow pass a little to one side so you can see the landing
area. Quite a common practice for those who land on other than prepared
surfaces.

You are the second person who can't distinguish between a grass strip and a soft field.

Yanno, a grass strip should be treated as a soft field unless you know
otherwise. An unfamiliar grass strip can hide problems that an
unfamiliar asphalt strip would not.

Jose
--
The monkey turns the crank and thinks he's making the music.
for Email, make the obvious change in the address.

Ross wrote:

A Lieberman wrote:

On Sat, 17 Jun 2006 18:34:42 GMT, Matt Whiting wrote:


drclive wrote:


Can anybody point out a good bibliography or article that describes the
differences in landing on a grass airstrip for the first time, tips and
advices? Thanks


What sort of differences? Landing on grass isn't much different than
hard surface unless the grass is very tall, very wet, or hiding mud.
:-)



I'd have to disagree with you on this.
It also depends on the soil composition. If it's clay and dry and
hard as
concrete, yes, no difference other then the grass that you describe
above.

If it any other type of soil composition where the weight of the plane
may
sink a little, then soft field take off and landing techniques are in
order
(yoke full aft when on ground and prop is turning).
See my other postings on the technique.

Allen

See earlier message of mine on landing on grass, but one should always
know the soil of the intended grass runway and taxi with the yoke full
back.

Even when taxiing back after landing into a 30K headwind?

Matt

Jose wrote:

You are the second person who can't distinguish between a grass strip
and a soft field.


Yanno, a grass strip should be treated as a soft field unless you know
otherwise. An unfamiliar grass strip can hide problems that an
unfamiliar asphalt strip would not.

You should familiarize yourself with any runway before landing on it.
And asphalt can hide problems that grass doesn't (black ice for one).

Matt