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Chicken Strip, Am I crazy?

xrs135

By xrs135
in General Mooney Talk

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kerry Mentor

kerry

Posted
Posted

I landed at chicken strip last year, but not in my mooney.  It was in my tail wheel plane.  To be honest I think landing a tricycle plane is a better option because of visibility.  I recommend a straight in approach.  There is terrain at the end of the runway so once you commit you really have limited options for a go around.   The strip was in great condition last year.  The field is soft crushed volcanic rock so getting nicks in your mooney prop is a strong possibility.  Great place to camp and the warm pools are incredibly.  Expect to see many naked people petting burro's. lol  

  • Like 1
Bravoman Mentor

Bravoman

Posted
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I know a strip at a little place called the Chicken Ranch but I think that might be in a different state. There are naked people near that one too!

kerry Mentor

kerry

Posted
Posted

I'd drive there...got a 4x4 Jeep so no problem.  Wouldn't take any model Mooney in there...

It's a 3 hour drive on a horrible 50 mile dirt road(for a lot of it I wouldn't even call it a road) from the pavement.  So flying in is a great option.  I see no problems taking an early model Mooney in as long as the strip is in good condition.  If I had my old AD Hartzell prop I would take my Mooney in.  I recently upgrade to a new Top Prop so as of now I will also pass taking my Mooney in.

  • Like 1
jrwilson Mentor

jrwilson

Posted
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I think you're crazy to try it.  That being said, I saw piperpainter plane at fullerton once and gave it a good look, expecting gravel prangs on the belly and tail and prop and gear doors...but there weren't.  It was in surprisingly good shape.  So it is possible to do without damage.  I just don't think the risk is worth it.  If you check backcountrypilot.org you will also see a picture of piperpainter's 20C buried up to the gear doors in an apparently not so dry lakebed...

DXB Grand Master

DXB

Posted
Posted

Elevation is 1360.  I noted the guy said 42 degrees celsius on the temp. DA may be over 5000. 1400 foot runway. No rwy choices for the winds. Maybe could use a little more margin in the summer?   But the runway slope helps.  Then again the place is called Death Valley :blink:

DaV8or Grand Master

DaV8or

Posted
Posted

I would be talking to Brian about it. He might tell you to skip it, who knows? Maybe see if he could ride with you and give you pointers somewhere. I would get real comfortable approaching on the edge of stall. In other words, if the stall horn bleeps a few times on short final, don't freak out, all is well.

Practice at home. Measure out on Goggle Earth, or something where 1400' is on your home field. Make sure you can land and take off with in those bounds every time. Then there is the braking. How well do they work on gravel? IDK. Maybe consider a practice flight to the strip with no intention of landing. Declare to yourself that you are not going to land and fly the pattern and go missed at 100' or something. Maybe it's not for you. Bottom line is, don't be "that guy" that was dumb enough to bring a Mooney and ended up in the weeds with a very, very expensive recovery bill. Instead, either be that guy that knows his limitations, or be that guy that is so awesome he can even bring a Mooney into that little place!

I'm pretty sure I could do it with a lot of pucker on a hard surface. On gravel... you go first. This place better have hot 20 something naked lap dancing girls for free, free beer, free BBQ and king sized bed for the night for me to fly in though...

  • Like 3
Shadrach Grand Master

Shadrach

Posted
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This place better have hot 20 something naked lap dancing girls for free, free beer, free BBQ and king sized bed for the night for me to fly in though...

Old naked hairy hippies! 

Yetti Grand Master

Yetti

Posted
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I know a strip at a little place called the Chicken Ranch but I think that might be in a different state. There are naked people near that one too!

how how how a shack outside La Grange.   Saw them a couple week ago in La Grange

Hank Grand Master

Hank

Posted
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I've visited 2000' grass strips along the river bank at 550 msl in the summer [temps ~95ºF]. You figure the DA. Don't like the sound of gravel with a propeller . . . although I'm heartened and surprised that piperpainter's plane is reportedly not dinged and chipped badly from all of the back country flying that he does. I have the same plane and would never attempt some of the places he goes.

It's all about your comfort level, and how proficient you are. I know my limits:  2000', two people, half tanks. That's me and one other for two.

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