Short Field- FARM

[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

[Moparrob]

I'm glad you posted this. I have about 600 feet of runway, but no trees. The worst thing I could hit is a rickety fence, about 4' high. Prevailing wind is out of the North, so If I were to take off to the North, I have mountains gradually sloping up to about 300' AGL, peaking about 1000' from the end of my "runway". I hope to get a BFR and tailwheel endorsement in the Kitfox from Stick and Rudder, which is about 50 minutes away by car. I'll see what my instructor has to say, but before I clear away the sage, what does the Kitfox hive-mind think?

[Slyfox]

this is my thoughts. I would go to thun field and take a demo flight. If you are still interested in flying, get your license. After getting your license and only then, decide what airplane you want and if you still think you want to fly out of this field of yours. Another thought, have someone come out and log all those trees. they have to be able to do it on the weekend. ha! I'm sure there will be an environmentalist close by to stop it, so get them down quick. doing this just might help you with the cost to learn how to fly. of course you could just learn to fly a helicopter and buy that instead. much easier to get into a place like that.

[HighWing]

All good thoughts in my opinion. I find that for me, the more conservative thinking is more like mine, but I do have some other thoughts as well. A couple of examples have tempered my thinking somewhat. A good friend, Mark, Flew out of his 1000 ft. strip for years until he accurately measured it. From then on he flew out of his 700 ft. Strip. I flew over it many times, but never landed there. Then Hal's strip or rather the dirt road behind his house. Cut out of a fairly steep slope, dragging a wing tip was my first thought when I walked it, then the hump that defined the exact touch down spot. Land short and a hard bounce to go-around. Land precisely and presto - perfect. Land a bit long and maybe a go-around is possible. I know that when Hal had guests who wanted a ride in his early S-7 it was a short flight for him solo to a pick up spot to board his passenger then after the flight and deplaning the passenger it was Hal solo back home and his guest riding back in the car. I don't believe anyone other than Hal ever landed behind his house.

The point: As every airplane is different, the guy with his hands on the throttle and stick is the biggest factor. Time,determination and ultimately skill will determine if it will work.

[Slyfox]

I was a little tough on post 11, but in the original post it talked of being a new pilot. Anyway, I know I could land in there no problem. main thing is to always do a 3 point landing, that will give you the slowest possible approach. be 50mph or less coming over the approach end, have your throttle to where it will be sloooow. like take your normal setting and back the throttle stops off another 1/2 on each carb slow. too much rpm and you will float forever, you don't want that for a short landing. when you are over the approach you back off the throttle, if you are good you will know how the feel is with the throttle, pull back on the stick and it will drop on the runway, like a pillow cus more than likely your tail is already draggin. your down, going real slow and you don't even need the brakes. that's my favorite landing type. wheel landings are for show offs and will cause big problems on a short field. not that I haven't done it, I can but if you want short, that's it. oh, love my flight adjustable prop also.

now with talk of the sti wing and such, that would really be the ticket with 25 mph stall. that would be cool

[Lthrnek89]

Thanks for all of the great information. Makes sense that my father-in-law flew a KF3 out of the farm years ago... trees were smaller then. I have reached out to Stick and Rudder regarding their training. I have also taken a discovery flight at Thun Field in Pierce County. Great flight in 172/180. I have also passed the GoldSeal online ground school and ready to take my written.

My intent is to fly often- so cost have to be reasonable. We have barn space and can trailer to the nearby airfield. My wife and I have discussed this and if we get to the point where we want/need a larger aircraft (172), then we'll just rent one.

Again-Thanks for all of the great information.

[TY2068]

I have to tell you. AV8RPS's advice is right on point. Best advice you'll get. I have 42ac, 1700' and 40' trees. Without already having my PP and 1,000+ UL hours behind me it would not have been a good thing to try. IV classic 582.

[Lthrnek89]

So... what you are ALL saying is that I should get years of flying experience and then just purchase the 20 acres from my neighbor and cut the tress down. I think we could pull that off.

I have been in an aviation family my entire-life... ( father was a Marine Aviator for 26 years and I was a powerline/crew-chief on F/A-18s in the Marines for 10 years)

so I have learned two things regarding aircraft accidents:

1) Sh!t happens clause.. the unforeseeable with aircraft or personnel (health)
2) Mitigating Risk.... manage risk... to reduce the possibility of an accident


I get it... thanks again!