Short Field- FARM

[Lthrnek89]

I'm looking for some information regarding short field performance. I live in western Washington on a 40 ac farm and my wife has FINALLY given the OK to get my license. I have always loved the KF and I believe that it would work well here on the farm. My intent in to purchase a 5 or better, but what size engine should I need for it to perform well?

I have trees at both ends that are roughly 50 feet. and a gradual slope the long way across the field with 1200 feet between the treeline.

I'm 6'3" 225# and my wife is 5'2" and maybe 125#

We live near an airfield and could top-off there- so I could fly lighter in and out. I would work out of the local airfield and some off-airport site to earn my experience before coming to the farm.

Do-able? I think so- but I don't have any meaningful idea. SO I come to y'all- Thanks for sharing

[jiott]

My opinion on a 1200' runway with 50' trees at both ends is a no go. Doable, but no room for any error not even once.

[Wheels]

Im with him.
I fly out of a 1600 foot strip daily in a model IV with an 80 horse. I weigh 165 and the wife is 102 (sshhhh) and on a hot day with full tanks I would not get in or out with anything like safety margin. Throw in some turbulence, float a little and need a go around, ... not worth the hospital stay or worse.
A big motor in a SS7, might be a different deal, but I don't have any experience there. I'm just a hobbit with a little ole model IV and 80 ponies.

[Dave S]

That's an easy answer..........no (IMHO)


(S7 W/100HP)


I've flown comfortably in and out of a 900 foot strip with open space on both ends and that was with me alone (160#) and half fuel, light winds no turbs.

[Lthrnek89]

I can see where this is going. Thanks for the advice.

This is on the family farm and my father-in-law used to fly his KF3 out of it... many years ago. Trees were shorter then, but he has had a history of judgment errors.. he called them landing spots of opportunity.

[avidflyer]

If you could angle your strip a bit, you would get more length. I had 1500' strip on a fourty. Eventually bought 3 more acres from the neighbor in the back, and now have 2000" JImChuk

[JAMES20011]

Hello flying series 7 with 100 hp. Find friends with farm strips to practice on. I live in La Grande ore 2700' elevation and have several farm strips that I practice on. some with trees some with power lines.. Great to have friends. I bought a kf 4-1200 before I had my licence and learned to fly it in Caldwell Id. now have over 500 hrs and love the Snake river strips . We often go there on our way to see grandkids and are fairly heavy on some parts of the landing/takeoffs. The seven works real nice if you are willing to let it fly. The biggest problem I have had is trying to force the plane to perform before its ready.. Good example is a local strip called Minum Lodge ore. tall trees on both ends. I feel a need to get of ground and climb to soon every time and you must allow the aircraft to get ready before you pull up. A good instructor will really help you get over that... I always recommend you get a flight from a local instructor to see If you really like that type of flying. Mabey Paul at stick and rudder on some back woods strips...

[Esser]

I wouldn't say it's not doable. My friend has 1200' with 80' trees on the end. The other end is open. Even though it's super comfortable getting in and out, you only really take off towards the no tree area. 1200' is a lot of runway for a plane that needs 300' to take off and land(in perfect conditions). But 50' trees really make the runway more like 500' or less.

I would say get REALLY used to your plane, practice at the close airport. Put out cones. Find out how short you can actually take off and land. But like the others said, it would be nice if one end was tree less. Your density altitude can make a big difference. The 5's and up need 100HP you see a few 80's around but I think if you talk to them, they all want 100+

[Av8r3400]

My strip is at 1400' AGL. The strip itself is 900' long. 30' trees on one end and 60' trees 500' off the other end. It's a challenge. Definitely not safe for a novice.

Link

[n85ae]

Your opening statement "OK to get my license" says enough. Short field, short
time pilot is an invitation for disaster. Takes a lot of hours to where you know
instinctively what the airplane is going to do, and even then you make mistakes.

Experience usually helps a lot to minimize how bad the mistakes are, so that's
why after you get past 500 or so hours you become a mostly safe pilot ... You
can never be completely safe though.

Don't get your ticket, with a plan to fly in and out of that field, unless you get
a chainsaw out first and remove the trees.

Jeff