Artimas
Pre-takeoff checklist
Any thoughts about landing on a grass strip when it's cold and frozen? I've landed on grass many times, but never in the winter.
Tips appreciated.
Thanks!
Tips appreciated.
Thanks!
Snow on the other hand can make it very difficult to accelerate.
As long as it stays frozen it's all good. OTOH there'll likely be a week or two in the spring when it starts thawing out that you'll be pretty much limited to use in the morning on the frost. Until it dries up it can get soft when the frost goes out.Any thoughts about landing on a grass strip when it's cold and frozen? I've landed on grass many times, but never in the winter.
Tips appreciated.
Thanks!
the owner of the strip may not like you for doing that. they will see your tracks a long time, when your wheels run over frozen grass it kills it. until the grass starts groaning again you will see the tracks.
the owner of the strip may not like you for doing that. they will see your tracks a long time, when your wheels run over frozen grass it kills it. until the grass starts groaning again you will see the tracks.
Snow on the other hand can make it very difficult to accelerate.
That never seemed to be an issue on the strip I learned to fly at.
Nor at any I've regularly flown at since. May be a different grass in the NW?
To to OP. The one thing you need to be very wary of when the ground is frozen is mole, groundhog and armadillo mounds (if these critters are an issue where you live). These mounds can be as hard as a rock when the ground is frozen and large ones can take the nose wheel right out from under your bird...
...Iff'n you have a nose wheel that is!
Certainly depends on the snow, but I have never felt it was a problem up to 3-4 inches. Of course you had better take your wheel pants off, especially RVs!
If you've seen the guy's landings you know why the grass is groaning.
That never seemed to be an issue on the strip I learned to fly at.
You prob'ly didn't even wake 'em up from their winter hibernationThanks all.
Landed on frozen grass strip yesterday with no problems.
The gophers are all still with us.