Thorp Air Command - T18.net

Whadya fellas have to say to another who’s never done grass strips? How does the Thorp handle? Any different techniques for takeoffs or wheel landings?

Thanks in advance,
Les Krumel, #1187

Les
Much easier to handle on grass, tracks straighter and not much use of brakes required. For take off you will need to consider the extra drag from grass and or the length of the grass. Don't know about wheelers as I always three point. 90% of my flying is off grass, you will love it!
Tony Schischka
T18C
ZK-VMS

Hard to stick a wheel landing on grass. There really are no perfectly smooth grass strips. Be ready for some bounces and associated yaw. Three point is much better on grass.
Cubes

Try Triple Tree Fly In (SC00) in September (2-8) - 7000' of golf course grass.

For me the problem is landing on a paved strip after keeping it at a grass strip.
The length of the grass and how low your wheel pants are mounted is a consideration.
I agree with above comments.

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Scott Emery
EAA Chapter 326
T-18 N18TE

Flown off the turf a few times - a little extra power for taxiing, and as stated above, be prep'd for a longer takeoff run. Also, if you land in the early morning dew, make a little extra effort to keep the nose "straight" down the runway, as braking action can be a bit sketchy on the soggy grass until you get slowed down.

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Fraser MacPhee
N926WM
Serial #279-1
Angel Fire, NM (KAXX)

Virtually no difference other than grass is more forgiving. The wheels slip a little rather than grab. Wet grass can be as slick as ice. The technique is exactly the same. I mostly wheel land but do intentionally 3-point from time to time (proof is on youtube).

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Thorp T18
O-320-B3B (160 HP)
68x74 Sterba Propeller

"The joke in aviation is, 'If you want to make a million, you'd better start with £10m.' " -Bruce Dickinson

Got it.
Good info. Thanx guys!

Watch out for them there gophers !

RB

The gophers thank you RB.

Spanky

Change the induction air filter every 6 months.

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Base: KALX
N8786
SN 929