Discussion Flying Fields, How Big is Enough?

[Bartman]

Guys (and gals?)

We might have the opportunity to cut out a runway at our flying site. This would be huge for us because we currently fly at a sod farm, which is every bit as awesome as you would think, but the grass is too long and thick for anything other than giant scale and hand launch foamies.

How much runway would be enough to handle foamies with landing gear up to maybe 60 size sport planes? Assume there is a clear approach at each end, no trees, so we could come right down to the sod before crossing onto the runway area. Everyone else could still use the sod.

I'm thinking about 50x150 ft. What do you think?

Thanks! We're excited!

 

[Snoopy1]

Flew at a sod farm up and till last year and we had the same problem. Farmer allowed us to cut an area for the smaller stuff. We started at 50 by 100 but we ended up at 100 by 200. This was enough area for the smaller planes to always take off into the wind.

 

[pawnshopmike]

Bigger the better.

 

[BalsaDust]

our runway is 90'x500' and some guys still struggle to land on it.

 

[Michael Grossman]

We put dow geotextile fabric at our field and they use it at alot of other fields are runway is 300ft by 30 ft the stuff is sold in 15 by 300 ft rolls total cost with the steaks was about 1800$ its GREAT the water goes through it and even the smallest wheels can roll on it the place that sold us ours is in Cincinnati oh.

 

[Mark S]

Our grass field was always cut to about 300’ x 400’ and some pilots would make it over the area chop the throttle and land in that area. Our club installed a 30’ x 250’ Geotex runway, it is large enough for most of the flyers. We still cut about 250’ x 400’ grass area for the bigger models or those that prefer grass. The Geotex runway has improved the taking off and landing of many pilots. It has also widened the scope of models that can be flow at our field. Many smaller RTF models, EDF jets and aircraft with wheelpants don’t have any problems. I would at least recommend marking you grass runway with lines to sharpen your members piloting skills. Pic included is runway 150x30 later extended to 250

 

[AKNick]

Depends on the wind, approach and roll out. Sounds like you have a nice approach. Guessing the rollout is the sod?
I think 60X350 is ideal (if the wind direction is constant) and would get the most used out of it.
Seen a lot of people flying at these massive gorgeous runways and not only do they not utilize it, they cannot seem to land on it.... aim small miss small right?
It would be worth it to have it wider if your wind direction changes a lot or if you do not have room for a roll out off the runway in the event of a ground loop. Length is always welcomed for those who prefer to come in hot and gives more wiggle room for getting back to the runway for a dead stick. Like what mike mentioned... bigger the better!

I was starting to develop a small strip with no roll out, water on one side, embankment on the other.. Alders, and hemlock trees at either end. started at twenty feet by one hundred.... nope nope nope. no room for deviation. we have plans to make it bigger with the help of the land owner and a grater. More room the better.

 

[TonyHallo]

At one field we cut 200'X1000', the second field is 200'x 500', both are way too much. It takes me 2 hours nonstop on a 54" mower pulling a 48" drag behind deck to cut the 1000' long field only, then add the pit area.
The field were I learned to fly many years ago was 370'x80', still only used half to the length.
Occasionally fly at the local drag strip if there are no events, we land on the return road, makes you a better pilot hitting a 15' roadway.

 

[Bartman]

Thanks for the replies guys! I have to stop by this week to see what kind of room we might be able to get for a runway from the owner. Some of those sizes you mentioned are pretty big!

Marking off a runway is a good idea, we'll see who can handle it before we commit to anything semi-permanent.

Thanks!

 

[Xpress]

Most clubs I've been to have at least a 50ft wide by 300-600ft long runway. 300ft is the bare minimum I would say, this is plenty for most models to land on (including high speed prop planes and jets) and still short enough to be manageable.