New airstrip

buzzlatka · Post by **buzzlatka** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 10:45 pm

My posts up to now have all been about improving climb performance. We looked very seriously and almost pulled the trigger on an IO-360. We have hunted for climb props and looked at stol kits. The reason for all this is an new airstrip where the stock 170 did just fine....1 person, light on the gas, and cold morning.

Now I have to figure out how to get in here with another person and a little more gas on a 70 degree day.
I think we are now going to try and pursue the 80 inch seaplane prop.

Mike Smith · Post by **Mike Smith** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 11:35 pm

Are you based at Sac Exec? I'm up in Grass Valley ... where is that airstrip in the pictures?

bsdunek · Post by **bsdunek** » Tue Oct 09, 2007 12:40 am

Yes, tell us where that strip is. Looks really interesting.

Paul-WI · Post by **Paul-WI** » Tue Oct 09, 2007 2:58 am

And the pucker factor was what?.................

Paul

cessna170bdriver · Post by **cessna170bdriver** » Tue Oct 09, 2007 2:22 pm

Where are those power lines in relation to the strip?

And was that picture made from the ground or another plane?

Miles

buzzlatka · Post by **buzzlatka** » Tue Oct 09, 2007 2:49 pm

Spent a long time constructing the strip and testing the performance of the 170. The pucker factor was the fact that the soil was a little softer than the grass strip i had been testing on. Probably could have landed months earlier but took it easy with lots of testing, low approaches, and touch and goes.
Strip is in the California delta on a small island.
The photo is taken from the levy on the north end. You can see the sailboat mast in the background of the takeoff photo. The power lines run along the levy. 1300 ft long, land north, takeoff south. Still have a 50 ft obsticle to the south.

Anyone know where I can get a used 80x43 seaplane prop.

Mike Smith · Post by **Mike Smith** » Tue Oct 09, 2007 5:54 pm

Is this your home? If so, you interested in visitors? That is just a short hop from Grass Valley (KGOO). I'm maybe 80-90 miles north of you. It looks really cool.

Mike

iowa · Post by **iowa** » Wed Oct 10, 2007 1:02 am

looks like you could add a little more
RW at the end opposite the water,
would this be feasable?
how long is the strip as it is now.
my dad had a 1500 ft strip on his farm
and i got in and out pretty good
iowa

buzzlatka · Post by **buzzlatka** » Wed Oct 10, 2007 5:14 am

The problem is not runway length right now as it is obsticals. That tree at the south end (opposite the water) is a little over 50 ft and it is around 200 ft from the south end of the runway. It is also on someone elses property. If I took out the tree I could add another person to the takeoff right away. BTW I live in SAC, this is just fun property.
If you want to visit drop me a pm. You have to be on your A game or I get salvage rights to your 170.
Sounds like AR dave has the right set up with the 80 inch prop. I think we are finally going to get one.

kloz · Post by **kloz** » Wed Oct 10, 2007 7:41 am

Looks like if you could remove the groups of trees on the left, you could make a left climbing turn after lift off and do good. That would also be a LOT of work.

iowa · Post by **iowa** » Wed Oct 10, 2007 2:20 pm

perhaps a maule, husky or helicopter?

Bill Hart · Post by **Bill Hart** » Wed Oct 10, 2007 3:46 pm

Dave,

You forgot Super Cub.

Post by **GAHorn** » Wed Oct 10, 2007 4:48 pm

buzzlatka wrote:The problem is not runway length right now as it is obsticals. That tree at the south end (opposite the water) is a little over 50 ft and it is around 200 ft from the south end of the runway. It is also on someone elses property. If I took out the tree I could add another person to the takeoff right away. BTW I live in SAC, this is just fun property.
If you want to visit drop me a pm. You have to be on your A game or I get salvage rights to your 170.
Sounds like AR dave has the right set up with the 80 inch prop. I think we are finally going to get one.

kloz wrote:Looks like if you could remove the groups of trees on the left, you could make a left climbing turn after lift off and do good. That would also be a LOT of work.

Looks to me it'd improve things if you'd just get the owner of that sailboat to MOVE HIS MAST out of the way!

(Cutting down some trees would increase the total takeoff distance available, even it it left the total run-distance alone.)

Joe Moilanen · Post by **Joe Moilanen** » Wed Oct 10, 2007 8:48 pm

I'll post some pics of my strip when I get around to it. 650' long on a hill with obstacles. 8043 prop!

Joe

AR Dave · Post by **AR Dave** » Thu Oct 11, 2007 5:19 am

This spring, after weeds come up, but while the grass is still dorment, spray round-up (use a cheaper generic brand, like eraser or ground zero) to kill all weeds. Then a month or two later when the broad leaf junk starts covering the runway, spray 2,4,D, to take out all the clover and etc.. Is it grassed now? Either way I'd spray it with MSMA next summer and re-seed the dead spots with same grass or Burmuda. Nice runway -

While this is the recommended procedure for building a healthy lawn in Arkansas, I've read where California Anti's have outlawed and banned such quality chemicals from ever reaching the hands of the responsible consumer!

There are sprays that will take your neighbors tree obstacles out quietly and naturally (well naturally after you crop dust them). They can also be used to successfully take out gophers, snakes, and for fishing.