Aah, haha, I fly RZ from Firs and I recognised the thumbnail in an instant 😆😆😆

@ShortField

Жыл бұрын

😀 I did ask Pete Marsden if he was OK with me using it 🤣

Interesting thoughts there. I would call short strips "less safe" rather tha "dangerous". Its only "dangerous" if a pilot doesn't evaluate the strip properly, in light of their aircraft's performance an their own competancies. They certainly demand more respect from an approaching pilot, from what I've observed. That was a Good video.

@ShortField

Жыл бұрын

Agreed Robert, thank you for the excellent comment.

Excellent presentation. Plenty of videos out there with modified bush planes, so it's nice to see one with a "normal plane". I take my Piper Cherokee to plenty of grass strips. Other pilots are often surprised to see my rather conventional aircraft arrive. I do pretty much all the the same due diligence that you do prior. Once you know what you are in for, to me one of the most important parts is speed management and knowing your plane well enough to fly the numbers or slightly slower. Frequent slow flight practice is always helpful.

They are more dangerous because they are of variable standard rather than a minimum. But besides all of that theres probably no assistance if you do come unglued and that affects your chances if there is an accident. To be fair I moved our aircraft to a proper airport because I was more worried about my dad having a heart attack pushing the plane with nobody around than him flying there! Great videos!

@ShortField

Жыл бұрын

I forgot to put that in, great point James, thank you.

Landing on a grass strip was the most fun I had in my xcountry part of my training. It’s so, so rewarding.

Some excellent tips here Terry, nice one! Love the one about taxiing the line you will take-off on when backtracking to identify any areas to avoid on take-off. Great idea.

@ShortField

Жыл бұрын

Thanking you 👍👍

Really interesting video Terry. Visiting the smaller places is definitely what I prefer , over the large and professional airfields. I like the peace and quiet 😂

@ShortField

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Matt.

Fantastic video. Very well made and narrated. Thank you.

Very good question and a great video again Terry, really enjoy your channel and content mate. Really great safety information and I just love your presentation style.

Always nicely put together Terry 😊👍🏼

@ShortField

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Geoff.

Another great video Terry, really enjoy watching these, always good to be reminded of what to look out for.

@ShortField

Жыл бұрын

Cheers Dave

The quality of your content is outstanding!

@ShortField

Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much Jeff. 👍👍👍

Excellent video again Terry, full of very useful info and tips 👌👏👏👏

@ShortField

Жыл бұрын

Cheers Kev

Another great video Terry. Thank you. Just started my build on the Bristell NG5, so joining you at some of these awesome strips early next year after some familiarisation and a bit of standard grass landings. Based at Popham so plenty of scope.

@ShortField

Жыл бұрын

Thank you Allan

The microlight club I'm in and have learnt to fly through is based mostly around small farm strips, even though the club is based out of a large uncontrolled airport, the instructors make use of the small farm strips around the area so the students are familiar with landing them all the time, in fact id say most of us are more confident in using small strips than going into controlled airspace :p

Great Video :) Love your perspective !

@ShortField

Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much.

Great video. I live in Benington so good to see us on the map.

Very well explained, Thank you for this story

Another good one Terry. You made lots of interesting points and it was definitely in the Terry, Short Field style which is a great format you have developed. I noticed quite a lot of Nayland in this one as well. 👍😎

@ShortField

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Tim, plenty of Nayland showcased here :-)

Awesome video, I love those insights into European backcountry flying - smashing!

@ShortField

Жыл бұрын

Thank you

You have a great radio voice! And outstanding editing skills.

This one has your name written all over it Terry. Thanks for sharing the wisdom and great content too! 💯

@ShortField

Жыл бұрын

Cheers Dollar

Great video and a beautiful aircraft!

@ShortField

Жыл бұрын

Thank you.

Nice video Terry. You missed out the, often magnificent, comaraderie and friendships you can make with the operators. I relished my grass field trips. Many times staying over with the operator. Exchanging use of their strip for a meal and beers. One a couple of occasions I was given (yes free gratis) a car for use to see local spots of interest. I guess that their thought process was if you could navigate to and land on their tiny strip you would be fine in their car. Very happy days and some great and continuing friendships now that I'm aged, out of medical and can only sit in with mates. Good luck Terry... Keep your wheels out of the hedge!

@ShortField

Жыл бұрын

Thank you and a great point, deffo get a sense of privilege.

Great video Terry, really enjoyed that! Agree that it's really only as dangerous (shall we say risky?) than you make it - good planning and preparation, and good decision making on the day.

@ShortField

Жыл бұрын

Cheers Mike

As always - great video although I don't agree that farm strips are dangerous. The danger arises as a result of pilot error or inexperience never because of the field - the field is the constant - the variable is the pilot and the conditions. Like you, I would encourage pilots to visit these fields but only after they have had proper instruction on short field landings. I far prefer them to the larger airfields although of course it is the latter that probably need our support more than ever to avoid them being sold off for housing or business parks! Keep up the good work - when the weather is poor I find myself looking at these type videos and dreaming of getting back up in the air again!! Best Graham

@ShortField

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Graham. I was trying to say that in the video, they are as dangerous as you want to make them, it's always upto you to set the parameters.

(Only 22 seconds in) my guess would be...do a "low and over" to make sure which one is the runway. No guessing on final for me, or else it isn't a stable approach. Great Video!!

What an excellent video fully of useful advice. Its like motorbiking on the motorway or country roads. Country roads are more exciting and no more dangerous as long as you are prepared and follow safe riding techniques.

Good evening. As a 10,000 hr CFI 4000 in Light sport alone and almost 1000 in Sport Cruiser. You give excellant advice..It does appear on take off you are lifting nosewheel a bit late and on landing too flat. need to touch town at a higher angle to better protect nose gear. In fact I STRONGLY recommend do not use airspeed to rotate on Take off. Pick an abort point on field instead. Lift Nose ASAP and keep a cpl inches aboce the ground the plane will lift off when ready into ground effect. accelorate the Climb at VY. or X to safe alt them VY plus 10 or so

@ShortField

Жыл бұрын

Great advice, thank you.

VERY useful thank you!

@ShortField

Жыл бұрын

Thank you Mile for watching and your kind comment.

If you spoke to a crop duster they would just give you a blank stare - "what do you mean risky ?", but then again, those guys live on the edge.

what a lovely video!

@ShortField

Жыл бұрын

Thank you

Thanks for the informative and interesting video's. Could you do a video focussing on the costs of running a light aircraft ? Also a video which goes into the maintenance involved, ( 50 hour checks and the Annual ),would be very interesting aswell.

@ShortField

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Martin, I will I just don't want my wife to see the costs :-)

Another cracking video Terry, you raise some good points. My dad always used to quiz me - especially in the summer months - "which piece of grass is the runway?". So as soon as you said similar, in a "drought", I gathered it would be the right hand brown area. If in doubt and all things are equal do a low level pass. Interestingly at 400m? That's quite tight isn't it, even in some FW microlights? Also in some FW ML's you can't hold it on the brakes with power on, as the discs warp etc (glorified bicycle disk brakes), so other short field techniques are required, Eg start at a right angle or just around the bend on the taxiway and run onto the runway with just a few knots on 😲😄👍 Not for the uninitiated though 🤔😉😊👍✌️

I'm never gonna do this, my flying days are done, but once I span a Chipmunk, and had all kinds of fun. A barrel-roll, some loops, as well, with some gliding on the side, but single-handing a trimaran, was when I almost died. Getting stabbed, near-drowned, and almost shot, I've tried most everything, too bad that short-field fun and games, will never be my thing :)

A good video Terry. I view short fields / farm strips as a challenge and I always have a divert / alternative field to fly to should it not be suitable on the day. My next flying video (just starting the edit) will be a testing time I had with a strip that has never been an issue to me before (not short but weather issue), not a flight I planned to post anything about.

@ShortField

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Algy, look forward to that.

When people ask "is it dangerous?", they ask "can this hurt someone?", i.e., an eventual outcome. But it's hard to give a simple answer to that without someone explaining also the basics of risk management in aviation: there are hazards, inherent risks, mitigations, and then we get to the residual risk or level of danger (higher than usual safety level, e.g., in comparison to driving or flying commercial airliners, or just riding horses, skiing etc. :) ) So what you explain is that there are more hazards at farm fields, they often pose an higher-than-usual inherent risk to landing and takeoff, but with a more-careful-than-usual preparation, you can mitigate those risks to a level, where they don't pose a significantly greater danger than landing/departing regular airfields. So long story short, I usually say that flying is (inherently) risky, but we are trained to prevent/mitigate those risks to happen, so it's not more dangerous than other things we do in life. (There is so such thing as a zero-risk activity.)

Interesting, only ever done fl 10 in my PA28 at the time., thanks again.

@ShortField

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching.

LOL I got it wrong! I'd have gone for the other one. Guess that's why they don't let me drive. Thanks for the video, and tips. :)

@ShortField

Жыл бұрын

Cheers Thomas 🙂

Great question, but in truth it comes down to an individuals tolerance to risk combined with a persons experience and concomitant skill level. So in the end the answer to your question is as individual as all who fly.

@ShortField

Жыл бұрын

Agree Neil

Why? Because they are challenging and keep your skills sharp. The other plus, they are a pleasant change from "proper" airfields.

@ShortField

Жыл бұрын

Agree, agree. Cheers 👍

Some really good learning points and planning processes in this video... I think a PeaBee could land on most of those ;) Nice to see Glebe Farm in the video as well, I miss that strip.

@ShortField

Жыл бұрын

:-) Thank you Giles

@GolfFoxtrot22

Жыл бұрын

@@ShortField it's great to see your Channel grow, you'll have to show me how you did it.. 😜.

In addition, watch out for mole hills, hares, herons in addition to all those farm machines especially at harvetime. But most imprtant is to get a PPR. Give the intended airfield operators a call... If in doubt do a precautionary approach that gives you a rehearsall of the terrain and the conditions.

@ShortField

Жыл бұрын

Brilliant comment, thank you.

With Tricycle gear? Yes. Tail dragger? All day long

@ShortField

Жыл бұрын

Dave, I agree.

Hi Terry, I'm a student pilot currently studying ATPL Theory. I have not flown for just over a year due to a medical issue, however I have recovered now and will soon be returning to hour building. To re familiarise myself with the practicalities of flying, I have been watching a few GA youtubers, I have to say your videos are absolutely quality, really fun to watch and you explain things so well. I love seeing all the interesting places you visit, and I have learned a lot from your videos that I'm sure will help a young inexperienced pilot like me stay out of trouble! Keep up the content mate! Side note, have you ever considered visiting the island of Lundy? That would be a really fascinating place for a video, bit of a challenge and would certainly qualify as a short grass strip! I don't have the confidence to try it myself yet, but perhaps it is somewhere you would be able to handle?

@davebuggins2198

Жыл бұрын

Sam I went into Lundy, unfortunately I never took a video of my landing, myself and Terry discussed Lundy but I ended up going on my own as we could never get a date when we were both available. Lundy is a brilliant place to visit but the strip when not cut is a bit too much of a risk, if you damage the plane or hit a sheep ( they run loose on the runway/ hit a pothole then it’s a long wait for spares for the plane… I went in and got out ok, would love to go again but not sure if the risk is worth it, Tail dragger with Tundra tyres is the perfect aircraft, tricycle and skinny tyres, not sure?

@geoffreycoan

Жыл бұрын

Lundy is also very bumpy. Its lovely coming in over the cliffs to land, but when you’re rolling down the runway to takeoff, keep on repeatedly hitting holes and bumps that slow you down, and there’s a big stone wall ahead that you’re approaching you do worry if you’ll ever reach takeoff speed. Definitely one to do if you have a suitable aircraft but having done it, Lundy for me is ticked off and I am not desparate to go back again!

Hi Terry. Loving your channel including/especially the mistakes you show us. I’m sure you get asked this all the time so apologies for me doing the same. I’m coming to the end of my PPL and I’m seriously thinking of getting a Sportcruiser because of the performance to cost ratio and I’m not going to be going IFR anytime soon. Can you tell me the average cost to ownership in your experience? What’s been your experience in terms of annual maintenance, insurance etc - all the fixed costs leaving aside fuel and landing fees etc. Also, what’s your average fuel burn and average cruise speed? I’m seeing about 18L/hr and 100kts but some people say 110kts. What’s your experience? Sorry to be a complete pain but you’re the go-to man on the Sportcruiser! Thanks again for the channel. Ian

I am left wondering if the answer for safe flying to/from these grass strips is the autogyro,which can land/takeoff in a very short run. Of course,you lose cruise speed.

Very informative video, as usual! 👌🏻 I'm almost done with my conversion to LAPL, as a stepping stone to PPL-SEP. Guess on what type of aircraft that is? 😉

@ShortField

Жыл бұрын

Cheers Jolmer, we must have a meet up when you get it 😉 lol

@ForFunFlyer

Жыл бұрын

@@ShortField Yes, it's still on my bucket list to hop over the channel. I don't know if I'll make it this season or the next 😉

@ForFunFlyer

Жыл бұрын

Oh, and you're more than welcome to visit us too, right? 😉

@ShortField

Жыл бұрын

@@ForFunFlyer Oh yes, I'll keep in touch.

First time I went flying in a small plane was out of a downhill grass strip, the plane was and still is a 180 hp pa-18 on 33" bush wheels. We still fly from this spot in the same plane. I really don't think I'd want my first experience to go any other way

@ShortField

Жыл бұрын

Some strips I treat as one way even though I could possibly get out the other way but not worth the risk.

Heeyyyy! 3:00 there's a Grob 109 and some other glider that looks like it's a pure glider. Any idea what it is on the right?

Wouldn't you be better off with a Super Cub- or something more suited to grass?

Pre-planning. What does this mean? As soon as I put pen to paper (pixel to screen) I’m planning. Even before then, when I start thinking about where I want to go, I’m planning. What does pre-planning mean?

The real Danger lays on the Pilot lack of proficiency and flying beyond Airplane capabilities

@ShortField

Жыл бұрын

Too true.

Sound thoughts from someone with actual experience of short strips, and was one of your clips landing on Tims uphill runway?

@ShortField

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Mikey, yes Tim's was there plus a couple down your way 🙂

Are you able to remove those wheel spats/pants on your aircraft? My flight school is based on an all grass set of runways so they remove them. Took a friend from the UK flying last week and he loved being reminded how vast it is here and how most fields are uncontrolled here.

@nallum

Жыл бұрын

They are currently off on the aircraft because one of the brackets failed. Good point about spats and grass.

Like others have commented, short strips are not dangerous if the plane, pilot and conditions are up to speed. Pilot experience needs to make that evaluation. Piper cub? No problem. Heavy single? Maybe a problem. Pilot is an experienced back country pilot? No problem. Pilot not proficient in short field technique? Problem. As you can see, a blanket statement that short farm fields are dangerous, or even raising the question, is short sighted. A better question would be: what training is required for safe operations on short unimproved strips? The Private Pilot License does not prepare a pilot for such operations. It requires practice and precise flying for your typical grass strip. For shorter and more challenging strips, it requires training with an experienced instructor. You need biannual flight reviews (and similar in other countries), so why not use the time to get that training. Improve your skills instead of just maintaining them. It's fun. Ben C 26,000 hrs and still learning

@apocalips8008

Жыл бұрын

'The Private Pilot License does not prepare a pilot for such operations' ..... nor does a CPL, ATPL or a fast jet jockey.... just adding ..where on earth would you find an experienced instructor proficient in short field grass strips in say a Jabiru ...

@benc1103

Жыл бұрын

True, back country/short field/unimproved runway operations is a specialized area of aviation. The first hint of such operations is the Private Pilot License, where short /soft field ops are addressed. "Short and Soft" is a relative thing. 2000 feet of nice grass is probably not an issue. 1000 ft of tall wild grass and soft dirt with obstacles is probably not good for an inexperienced pilot. If it's something that causes concern, then more specialized training is probably required. CPL and ATP are geared toward commercial operations. Anyone interested in back country type of operations will likely spend time practicing their stick and rudder skills, and flying precise approaches at minimum speed, consistently landing on a predetermined spot on the runway. Any experienced instructor can help in that regard. There's bound to be an FBO somewhere that deals with tailwheel aircraft training in Cubs or Citabria's. Not that a tailwheel is necessarily required, but that's where you can like minded pilots (get tailwheel training anyway. You'll learn a lot and fly better). After that, one will need to take their own steps and build up their experience. Most of the planes are variations of the Cub, so I don't think you need a CFI or someone experienced in type. Just someone more skilled than you are. Or, if serious, take a vacation and spend a week at a back country operation that teaches such adventure flying (Idaho). In this case, the question is about a short farm strip. Others probably fly into it, so tag along with them and learn. Or take a CFI. Or just do touch and go's till one is comfortable full stopping. By then they should have an idea what the takeoff distance will be. Maybe practice on a longer grass runway to gain confidence and get an idea of landing and takeoff distance (the POH is fine for paved runways, but lack accuracy regarding unimproved surfaces. Gather your own data). And the golden rule: if a pilot feels something makes them uncomfortable, or they feel it's dangerous, then don't do it until they get more experience and feel differently. Aviation is all about learning and gaining experience. Im' still learning and I know my limits. Limits that I know can be expanded with more learning.

@hb1338

Жыл бұрын

@@apocalips8008 Many of the skills required for short fields, such as high accuracy/precision and really good stick and rudder work, do not need specialised tutors. I learnt with an ex-military instructor, who did a lot of work on my basic skills and then sent me for finishing to a former colleague who mostly teaches on microlights.

Can I fly with you from London to my narrowboat near Lichfield? 😂

I would have chosen left.

@ShortField

Жыл бұрын

👍

"Your country is so small why don't you just walk or bike there?" --- 'Murica

@ShortField

10 ай бұрын

Now where's the fun in that, you're right though we are tiny :-)

Guess I can't do this in a pa28...

@ShortField

Жыл бұрын

Go light 😂