I forgot to mention takeoff distance. I'm not sure he can get off the ground with two people safely from grass at that altitude. We have been talking about swapping out the 2200 for the 3300 that he has available. On a hard surface with the 3300 and 26' wing at that altitude, he would be able to break ground in 350', and 450-500' with two people. On grass, the increased distance with the 3300 is minimal since it will plow through pretty much anything with that much power at hand.
--Kimberly
----- Original Message -----
From: skyking13
To: Titanaircraft@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, September 04, 2009 11:12 AM
Subject: [Titanaircraft] Landing distance required
As a sea level flier (Home field only 671MSL) I'm usually able to enjoy take off and landing distances of well under 1,000 feet on a hard surface runway.
I recently assisted a new Tornado owner in moving his new aircraft to Montana where he is, for the time being, operating off a hard surfaced runway of more than 6,000 feet. He is a pilot, without however any recent experience and no experience in a light sport type of aircraft. He was used to flying larger GA aircraft and his most recent experience is in a Pilatus PC-12, an experience that doesn't transfer well to the Tornado.
I have been assisting him with some dual and he has shown progress in his aircraft handling skills through about 8 hours of dual. He'll still need some time in doing touch and go's to become consistently proficient in landings before I'll feel comfortable about turning him loose.
My question is this...He's planning (and has broken ground) on a 1,000 grass runway on his property in Montana. The location is at 6,000 feet above sea level and although this field length is enough for operations at sea level I'm somewhat doubtful that it provides sufficient runway for safe operations at that mountainous altitude. The runway has trees at one end and a river and less hospitable terrain at the other end. Do any group members have experience with measuring takeoff and landing distances at this altitude?
I may of course do my own measurements from operations on the hard surfaced runway where he is currently operating and extrapolate the greater distance that the grass strip would require for safe operation.
And as an aside on the hitting the tailwheel on landing. Depending on the airspeed, flap setting, and effort the pilot is putting into the flare, the tailwheel may or may not touch the runway. I've found that during maximum effort landings in the IISS...that is, looking to hit a line at the minimum possible airspeed, I'll roll my tailwheel on the runway before the mains. I've got the sight picture down pat from my hours flying the Tornado but depending on the PILOT'S ability to manage the flare the tailwheel is still there to PROTECT the tailboom.
Blue Skies,
Robert "Captain Bob" Perry
Titan Tornado IISS 899HC
Buellton, CA
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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