what distance is needed

[amekler]

I have 2 fields on my property/.One is 950 feet the other 650 feet.there are large trees at each end.
What are the takeoff and landing distances required? Any recommendations for which model would be best. fields are mowed but a bit rough.
Alan

[Badland-F5 Pilot]

Hey Alan, of course weight is a big factor in when the plane will lift off, but the recommended is 650 to 850 feet for a fairly stock Badland aircraft. I'm not positive, but this would also be with a 30~35hp engine. With that said, Badland Aircraft are known to take off in much shorter distances, based again on gross weight at take off, as well as pilot skill, and quality of construction.

Chris Deuel (Badland Aircraft company owner) is the master with his planes, makes sense, and I've seen video of him taking off in much shorter distances.

The Badland aircraft are also available with different size wings, which of course increase lift. Add on VG's (velocity generators) and even more lift can be generated earlier and at lower speed. This is only my opinion, but at 950 feet I think you'd have no problems at all taking off and landing, and with practice the 650 would also work.

My kit is the F5 model, which is the lightest weight Badland Chris produces. It'll have VG's, the longest wings available, and hopefully forward wing cuffs (similar to forward wing slats but cuffs don't move like slats do), and a Hirth F-23 engine. With that combination, I hope to have very short lift off and landing capability.

Todd

[amekler]

todd,
Thanks for your advice. Being able to fly off man own property is a big plus. There is a grass strip 2.5 miles away but no hangar to keep it in.
Alan

[Badland-F5 Pilot]

todd,
Thanks for your advice. Being able to fly off man own property is a big plus. There is a grass strip 2.5 miles away but no hangar to keep it in.
Alan

Very true. When I was looking for a home here in Florida, my first requirement on the list was enough property to fly in/out of. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to find anything in my price range. My only hope at the time was to find a private strip and see if I could work some deal with the owner. That pretty much failed as well. Insurance concerns, I imagine is the major issue with flying into a private field.

Keystone Heights (42J) isn't but 15 miles from my home, so that was an option to look into. Off to Keystone Heights with a prayer that they are UL friendly. I had an impression they were from reading their online website, but, many public air strips are very restrictive to UL's. To my surprise, the management at Keystone Heights is very open and friendly to less conventional flyers. They have skydivers, PPG's, and UL support! Now of course a public field is required if they accept federal funds to provide access for taking off and landing of all aircraft. However, what they can do to deter such activities is require that the plane (if a UL) to be hangered at the air field. Well, getting a hanger for storing usually means being on a forever waiting list. Plus, tieing down on the ramp kills a UL in constant direct sunlight, not failing to mention the damage from hail storms here in Florida. Many public airfields don't allow tow on/off of the field. This leaves flying in and out of the field as the only way to access it, which is exactly the problem. How do we fly into such a field when we have no place to get the plane off the ground in the first place?

Keystone Height's to my delight is not that way. They issue a gate pass and have an area for sky drivers, PPG, UL and other forms of flight set up. The area also provides camping for the flight enthusiasts! Now that's a public service air field! They also sponsor stunt flying and have an official FAA regulated stunt flying box for pilots to practice in. I think in March they have a four or five day stunt competition. I'm going to check that out once the date gets closer.

Once I have my kit built, I can tow it to the field, enter the camping area, prep, and fly. Land back at the field, taxi to the camping area, fold my wings and tow home. How nice is that!

I don't think you'll have any problem at all getting in and out of your property. Get a zero turn mower and mow that grass strip and you'll be set! Looking forward to hearing your progress.

Todd

[Dobie]

I feel bad correcting anyone, but VG is Vortex Generator, not Velocity Generator.

[LA F2 Flyer]

Too funny; I am guessing Todd's post was a typo, since we JUST had a conversation about VGs...

Alan, this probably doesn't need to be said, but I always lean to the longest runway possible, just in case I run into problems. It's always nice to leave some room for error (or forced landings.)

[ksatter26]

Also remember what my old instructor used to say: "You can't use what's behind you."

[Badland-F5 Pilot]

Too funny; I am guessing Todd's post was a typo, since we JUST had a conversation about VGs...

Alan, this probably doesn't need to be said, but I always lean to the longest runway possible, just in case I run into problems. It's always nice to leave some room for error (or forced landings.)

Yes, auto spell check. Maybe we need AI to check the context of use of words. That would be interesting, a computer program (AI) correcting a computer program (auto spell check)......Skynet here we come! Yes, of course, vortex generator.