Short Field Help

[skydvrboy]

I've moved my plane to a short grass strip (1KS6) a mile from the house so I can get into a hangar.  I've been "on the list" at the other nearby airports for 9 months and I'm tired of leaving the plane tied down outside while I wait.  The owner sold his last plane and agreed to rent me his hangar.  

The N/S strip is 2250' x 40' and in pretty good shape.  However, crossing the north end of the runway is a 25' power line.  The south end is much more open with 30' trees about 400' from the end of the runway.

Does anyone know a good way to determine when to use the headwind and shorter distance vs taking the tailwind and the additional 400' before the obstacle?  The performance data in the POH is pretty minimal to say the least.

I've landed there twice so far, both times avoiding the power lines, once with a slight headwind and once with a slight tailwind.  I've also taken off, also avoiding the power lines with a slight headwind.  All were non-events with plenty of safety margin even with the 3600' density altitued.  Any good rules of thumb or better performance data than in the POH?

[DonMuncy]

2250 feet with a tailwind. You have talent.

[Hank]

I used to visit a 2000 x 75 grass field with a slight curve and a hump jump before rotation speed, down along the riverbank. My limit was 2 people and half tanks. Never had a problem whether taking off over the open south end, or the cement factory's gravel pile at the north end.

Just don't try it heavy. 

I've never made a tailwind takeoff (except for twitchy gusts), but my two surprise downwind landings were both uncomfortable and rather long. Be careful . . . . and don't be heavy. (Yeah, I repeated that on purpose.)

[skydvrboy]

Wind was 11014kt, but was very smooth, no gusts.  It was really more of a crosswind than tailwind, but that's still almost a 5 kt tailwind component.  I already decided I would only go in and out solo, at least through the summer.  I can pick the family up at one of the nearby airports if were going on a trip.

Edited November 12, 2018 by skydvrboy

[laytonl]

 I live on a 3000’ grass strip that is one way due to a significant gradient.  We have 70’ trees on both ends too.  My max tailwind for my ‘92 J model is 10 kts at 2,500 lbs and 85F and that is a little scary.  15 kt tailwind is max for landing and it really pushes me down the runway.

Interestedly I’ve found my takeoff ground rolls on grass to be almost right on the book figures for pavement and my 50’ obstacle figure is about 10% more than the book figure (I suspect this is a pilot compentency issue!).

2250’ runway would be a concern me for a newer (heavier) j model.

lee

[thinwing]

Well if that is all you can get ...sooner or later you will have had enough of the short strip