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ljkrume
 Post subject: Grass strips
PostPosted: Mon Aug 12, 2019 11:01 pm 
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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


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TonyNZ
 Post subject: Re: Grass strips
PostPosted: Mon Aug 12, 2019 11:08 pm 
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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
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James Grahn
 Post subject: Re: Grass strips
PostPosted: Tue Aug 13, 2019 12:29 am 
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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


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Doug S
 Post subject: Re: Grass strips
PostPosted: Tue Aug 13, 2019 7:43 am 
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Try Triple Tree Fly In (SC00) in September (2-8) - 7000' of golf course grass.


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SHIPCHIEF
 Post subject: Re: Grass strips
PostPosted: Tue Aug 13, 2019 11:24 am 
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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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Fraser MacPhee
 Post subject: Re: Grass strips
PostPosted: Tue Aug 13, 2019 11:28 am 
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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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Jeff J
 Post subject: Re: Grass strips
PostPosted: Tue Aug 13, 2019 2:26 pm 
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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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ljkrume
 Post subject: Re: Grass strips
PostPosted: Tue Aug 13, 2019 9:37 pm 
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Got it.
Good info. Thanx guys!


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Rich Brazell
 Post subject: Re: Grass strips
PostPosted: Wed Aug 14, 2019 3:58 pm 
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Watch out for them there gophers ! ::)

RB O0


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fulcrumflyer
 Post subject: Re: Grass strips
PostPosted: Wed Aug 14, 2019 4:16 pm 
Rich Brazell wrote:
Watch out for them there gophers ! ::)

RB O0


The gophers thank you RB.

Spanky


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Unclerap
 Post subject: Re: Grass strips
PostPosted: Wed Aug 14, 2019 4:33 pm 
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Change the induction air filter every 6 months.

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