Operating an F off a dirt strip is this a horrible idea?, just bought a home with a dirt strip.

[Rusty Pilot]

Your place looks great enjoy!  Is it too dry out there to convert dirt runway to grass field?  

[Fly Boomer]

On 7/31/2023 at 3:42 PM, Grandmas Flying Couch said:

I like this Idea, maybe 500ft on each end to start with, perhaps more when I can afford it.  Ground roll should be around the 1000' at sea level so figure 1300' maybe more for dirt.  500 head start should help her along nicely.  I think you're right about prop erosion, if I do a short field take off full power feet on brakes the prop paint really pays for it even on pavement.  It's dusty in AZ.  

I have no direct experience with an M20F, but I suspect that if you get the nose too high on your takeoff roll, you may never leave the ground.

[M20F-1968]

On 7/25/2023 at 9:16 PM, Grandmas Flying Couch said:

It's the finest of sand out there!  It's nothing but fin sand, smooth enough that you pick it up and rub it on your hands it acts almost like lube like graphite.  

Your prop will easily pick this up and you will have a sand-paper effect on the leading edge with some pitting of 0.002-0.003" all along the leading edge, which will get worse this continued dirt runway use.

John Breda

[Teddyhherrera]

On 7/25/2023 at 4:42 PM, Grandmas Flying Couch said:

I just bought a home to get out of the city.  It's on 150 acres and has two dirt strips one is 3000ft and the crosswind runway is 1800ft.  They are dirt runways, I will need a tractor as they have not been groomed in a few years.  This is a dream situation the house is rundown and it has a few rundown hangars that I will be spending my time fixing up.  This leads to the M20F: I just got her up and running with an overhauled engine about 5 months ago, I would love to keep her.  

I know about the Piper Painter videos and have watched them extensively, I'm wondering if it's feasible long term.  Dirt already erodes my prop using the paved runways in the southwest where the wife and I fly around.  My runways are pure dirt, sand, and small rocks.  

There is a paved section for runups.  Here are a few of my ideas:

1. Put 3M paint protection strip on leading edges of prop (just 1 inch stuff on outer 12 inches or so and replace often)

2. Accelerate slowly to suck less sand

3. Change air filter often 

What do you guys think?  Would it be worth it to sell her and kick in more money and grab a 180 or Maule or ?  

off topic but is this west TX? I think I fly over this weekly in my Mooney...

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