Will a 150 take off on grass?

[EchoKilo]

I want to explore the topic of Cessna 150s on short grass fields.

My father used to own a '59 model 150, and he says they will certainly takeoff on grass, as he used to fly out and into our 1,800 ft. grass runway here at home.

Once I get my ticket, which will probably be here in a couple of months, I plan to look into buying a 150 as a time builder and recreational plane. I would like to keep here at our home, and fly it out of our 1,800 ft. grass strip that I mentioned above.

Is grass a problem for the 150? I've heard that they won't take off on grass, and that you have to force them off the ground, get them into ground effect and let them build speed, then climb out.

What do you think my limitations on load would be? Would I only be able to do it on a cool day with half tanks with 10 deg. of flaps? Or do you think it would do it at max gross weight?

Thanks.

 

[Radar Contact]

Is grass a problem for the 150?

No.

I've heard that they won't take off on grass

Not close to the truth.

you have to force them off the ground, get them into ground effect and let them build speed, then climb out.

You do a normal grass/soft field takeoff. Yoke in lap, full power, as soon as the mains break ground lower the nose, accelerate in ground effect, climb out at Vx/Vy as required. Easy breezy.

 

[steingar]

The only parts of a 150 that might have problem with turf are the wheel pants. They are removable, however.

 

[coloradobluesky]

Depends on the grass. I agree with taking the wheel pants off. The uneven surface loosens them and they need repair. At least thats my experience.

 

[Clark1961]

Well it helps if the grass gets cut every now and then. A well maintained turf strip is nearly the same as a paved runway for take-off performance. Maybe add 10% to the ground roll. Soft field technique is not required just because it is grass.

 

[tawood]

It will take off just fine, just don't consent to the blood test.

 

[mscard88]

Done it many times in a 150. Take off on grass that is. Not the Mile High stuff....or the grass that makes you a mile high.....

 

[Ravioli]

Reviewing the POH it would seem you'd be fine, so long no obstacles on either end of the strip.

With obstacles you'd want more grass.

[Not that kind]

 

[EchoKilo]

Reviewing the POH it would seem you'd be fine, so long no obstacles on either end of the strip.

With obstacles you'd want more grass.

[Not that kind]

One end has more obstacles than the other. One end has about another 1,500 ft. (at least) until the tree line. The other end there are trees kind of off to the side a little bit, but no real obstacles I don't think.

 

[Zeldman]

If you cut the grass and you find an airplane, you may be a redneck pilot....

 

[James331]

No.

Not close to the truth.

You do a normal grass/soft field takeoff. Yoke in lap, full power, as soon as the mains break ground lower the nose, accelerate in ground effect, climb out at Vx/Vy as required. Easy breezy.

That

 

[RyanB]

They fly off of grass very well actually. Done it several times.

Funny how theories like these develop..

 

[EchoKilo]

They fly off of grass very well actually. Done it several times.

Funny how theory’s like this develop..

That's what my dad said. Don't know if I'm going to be able to have a passenger with me though.

 

[RyanB]

That's what my dad said. Don't know if I'm going to be able to have a passenger with me though.

Why not?

 

[FormerHangie]

It will take off just fine, just don't consent to the blood test.

In that vein, no, a Cessna 150 won't take off on grass, it requires gasoline. The pilot, on the other hand...

 

[eman1200]

I'm confused.....you say your father flew a 150 out of your grass strip all the time.........doesn't that answer your question?

 

[EchoKilo]

Why not?

Just thought it would bog the plane down. May not take off with two people in it. Maybe I'm wrong.

 

[DanWilkins]

Loaded with two people on a hot summer day....? Probably not a good time to fly. On a normal day the 150 will do you well. I learned in a 150 on grass.

 

[Ravioli]

May I suggest you get your PPL in a 150, and land at home with your CFI a few hundred times?

 

[RyanB]

Just thought it would bog the plane down. May not take off with two people in it. Maybe I'm wrong.

I’ve flown 152’s off a grass strip during the middle of the summer with two people (near gross weight) several times and I’m still here to talk about it.

As long as the airplane is loaded within limits and your soft field technique is up to par, than you have nothing to worry about.

 

[Cap'n Jack]

Just thought it would bog the plane down. May not take off with two people in it. Maybe I'm wrong.

A flight instructor and I flew a C-150 from grass. It did well. Did it as described in post #2

 

[EchoKilo]

May I suggest you get your PPL in a 150, and land at home with your CFI a few hundred times?

I actually did a goodly portion of my training in the 150. I soloed in the 150. Loved that plane. The guy I was renting from had that and the SP. he sold the 150. Now I have to use the SP. Great plane.

 

[kgruber]

If you HAVE to take the wheel pants off, then the grass is too long for a safe takeoff in a 150.

 

[Ravioli]

I actually did a goodly portion of my training in the 150. I soloed in the 150. Loved that plane. The guy I was renting from had that and the SP. he sold the 150. Now I have to use the SP. Great plane.

So there you go... take that 172SP and learn good technique. The 150 won't be all that different.

[If your CFI / FBO is sane they'll want to come over and walk your strip. But that's a small price to pay]

 

[tawood]

If you HAVE to take the wheel pants off, then the grass is too long for a safe takeoff in a 150.

Don't tell that to this guy:

Or this guy:

 

[FlySince9]

I learned on a 2000' grass runway with a 270 LBS instructor... Why don't kids ever believe their parents but will believe everything on this here internet?

 

[RoscoeT]

And if a strip is truly so soggy as to require soft field technique, then you're leaving ruts and the owner will be none too happy with you.

 

[Ronbonjovi]

We use the grass strip at our field a couple times during training for soft field landings and take offs in the 152. No wheel pants, no problems.

 

[Zeldman]

Don't tell that to this guy:

Wow... that first you tube sure brought back some memories. Bold Airstrip ends in a glacier lake. Any over run and you will get wet. Also recognized some shots of Matanuska Glacier. Making me miss Alaska again.

 

[EchoKilo]

I learned on a 2000' grass runway with a 270 LBS instructor... Why don't kids ever believe their parents but will believe everything on this here internet?

To get other perspectives. I love my father, but he's not the only resource for information in the world.

 

[mscard88]

If you cut the grass and you find an airplane, you may be a redneck pilot....

What if ya sell grass?

 

[tawood]

To get other perspectives. I love my father, but he's not the only resource for information in the world.

Does your dad think the world is round, or flat? How about you?

 

[mscard88]

That's what my dad said. Don't know if I'm going to be able to have a passenger with me though.

Why not? I always did, usually with a student.

 

[Shepherd]

I hope he billed the guy for trimming his lawn.

 

[Checkout_my_Six]

the bigger question....."Can a 150 take off from a tread mill? "

 

[denverpilot]

Don't tell that to this guy:

Technically those weren’t grass. Heh. But still a fun video.

What you really need is a hot tub next to the grass.

 

[EchoKilo]

Assuming the treadmill is big enough to support the aircraft, then yep.

 

[steingar]

I did fly my 150 with its spats into and out of a couple turf strips, but they were very well groomed strips. I could see the pants being a problem in some situations.

 

[SkyDog58]

EchoKilo.

I don’t know your skill level, the condition of the 150 in question, or the condition of your turf runway. All I know is that I have landed and taken off on a few grass strips in a 150 with a passenger with no problem.

 

[Clark1961]

I did fly my 150 with its spats into and out of a couple turf strips, but they were very well groomed strips. I could see the pants being a problem in some situations.

Your 150 was certainly not a Cezzna 150...