Landing a Bravo on grass

[triple8s]

I learned on grass. Only had the Mooney on the grass once in a while but other than keeping the nose up or "light" till into ground effect it really was no big deal. I would suggest to keep things light if possible. I loved the feeling of landing on grass.

[M016576]

Oscar I'm glad to see another Mooney driver taking their airplane into grass. These planes can handle a helluva lot more than what people think...even the owners!

It's true- it's not a matter of whether the aircraft can or can't do it... It's what the pilot can do with it.

Geez... Some of the guys on this board won't fly west of the Mississippi without a turbo and TKS... Let alone a grass strip! :-)

Personally- I'm not proficient landing mooneys in the back country- so you won't see me out there in one! But I do plenty of flying around mountains and petacured grass strips are nbd.

[triple8s]

Not grass but maybe relevant......

[wiseng]

Just say no to grass er I mean,  yu know what I mean!!

[Oscar Avalle]

Oscar I'm glad to see another Mooney driver taking their airplane into grass. These planes can handle a helluva lot more than what people think...even the owners!

 

Yup... I got inspired by you. These planes can handle a LOT even close encounters of the third type with a white tailed deer.

[piperpainter]

Yup... I got inspired by you. These planes can handle a LOT even close encounters of the third type with a white tailed deer.

I've apparently been inspiring a lot of people! I wish I was a CFI I would show people what their airplanes can do...then the pilots!

Haha and now we know the rest of the story!

Triple8s that video is going to blow some minds here....careful!

God I love my Mooney! I want to go play with her right now...haha!

[BorealOne]

Not grass but maybe relevant......

Nice - see, a little dirt never hurt a Mooney!

[Lood]

Although not a Bravo, I operate my F out of sand and dirt strips for 99% of all flights - that's all I have available on the farms.

Wrt to grass, whenever any of you visit South Africa, please do yourselves a favour and visit Port Alfred. Apart from having the most expensive Avgas in the country, they are also among the top few when it comes to really bad runways and I mean REALLY bad. All the runways are grass and they can be extremely rough and uncomfortable - especially in a Mooney.

Unfortunately, our local Mooney AME/agent is resident at Port Alfred and they probably maintain 90% of all Mooney's in SA. So, Port Alfreds' runways are used by Ovations, Bravo's and even Acclaims, all the time, without any problems.

As long as the grass is not too tall and the surface is reasonably firm, a Mooney takes it in its stride. Holes and ditches are equally dangerous and bad to most airplanes.

[triple8s]

One of my favorite pics is 42Q about 10ftAGL over a cow that is obviously excited about the low flyin Mooney. Better watch that stuff or you'll have PETA come down on ya! LMAO

[1964-M20E]

I fly an F but I have had mud on top the wings befoe during takeoff when departing a wet grass strip.  The biggest drawback is the plane does get dirty on grass or dirt strips.  It is always nice to find a wet cloud after that but there never seems to be one when you want one.

[Hank]

I fly an F but I have had mud on top the wings befoe during takeoff when departing a wet grass strip.  The biggest drawback is the plane does get dirty on grass or dirt strips.  It is always nice to find a wet cloud after that but there never seems to be one when you want one.

 

The real PITA is cleaning grass and dirt out of the wheel wells . . . I have yet to put gear down in that convenient cloud . . .

[piperpainter]

One of my favorite pics is 42Q about 10ftAGL over a cow that is obviously excited about the low flyin Mooney. Better watch that stuff or you'll have PETA come down on ya! LMAO

That was no low flying act, that was actually on takeoff from my Dads ranch in NE Oregon! PETA.....People Eating Tasty Animals!

[piperpainter]

The real PITA is cleaning grass and dirt out of the wheel wells . . . I have yet to put gear down in that convenient cloud . . .

I have the wheel well liners from LASAR....they are awesome! I barely have to do anything to clean out my wheel wells. The install was quick, easy and didn't cost to much. Worth it. I can take pics sometime if you need.

[Skywarrior]

Thanx for all the replies, folks. I decided against landing at 5GA3 because I'm not proficient in soft-field takeoffs, and my plane has 115 gals. of fuel aboard, and we've had a lot of rain recently.

 

RLBridges, the IA is Bell Aeromotive.

[Hank]

I have the wheel well liners from LASAR....they are awesome! I barely have to do anything to clean out my wheel wells. The install was quick, easy and didn't cost to much. Worth it. I can take pics sometime if you need.

 

Please! I'll have to check into these.

 

I'm a fan of your PETA, too, and have a new favorite T-shirt:  animals grazing in front of trees with silhouetted mountains behind them, with writing, "Vegetables are not food. Vegetables are what food eats."

 

I'm also a fan of your youtube videos, but I'm not ready to go some of the places you do.

 

 silhout

[piperpainter]

Thanx for all the replies, folks. I decided against landing at 5GA3 because I'm not proficient in soft-field takeoffs, and my plane has 115 gals. of fuel aboard, and we've had a lot of rain recently.

 

RLBridges, the IA is Bell Aeromotive.

Looks like a great airstrip! I could understand not wanting to go with too much fuel on board for your first time. Practice doing some landings on short fields or using runway remaining markers. Then when you have lower fuel take her in there. It'll be fine. Also you could try and find a field that has both grass and asphalt. Land in the grass and if you don't like that then takeoff on the asphalt. Or vis versa! Goodluck!

 

haha Yes I've seen that shirt Hank, I like it!  Shoot me an email/pm so that I can remember you want a pic of the Liners! And no worries I only recommend those places once you are really comfortable. Some of the longer ones like 3U2 I'll recommend to anyone comfortable with grass....so beautiful up there.

[Oscar Avalle]

Thanx for all the replies, folks. I decided against landing at 5GA3 because I'm not proficient in soft-field takeoffs, and my plane has 115 gals. of fuel aboard, and we've had a lot of rain recently. RLBridges, the IA is Bell Aeromotive. Looks like a great airstrip! I could understand not wanting to go with too much fuel on board for your first time. Practice doing some landings on short fields or using runway remaining markers. Then when you have lower fuel take her in there. It'll be fine. Also you could try and find a field that has both grass and asphalt. Land in the grass and if you don't like that then takeoff on the asphalt. Or vis versa! Goodluck! haha Yes I've seen that shirt Hank, I like it! Shoot me an email/pm so that I can remember you want a pic of the Liners! And no worries I only recommend those places once you are really comfortable. Some of the longer ones like 3U2 I'll recommend to anyone comfortable with grass....so beautiful up there.

Good idea...do you mind sending me the link to your videos. Would love to see them, Oscar Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[Hank]

Oscar, just go to YouTube and search for piperpainter. He flies his red C from ranches, beaches, canyons and deserts. Amazing videos, beautiful scenery, and fully in control of the plane. I'll stick to maintained grass fields . . . But then, I don't live in or near places like he shows, so it's an easy choice for me to make.

[piperpainter]

Thanks Hank!!!

[piperpainter]

Okay Hank I have posted pictures of the liners. If you have questions let me know. It was pretty quick and easy! mins the paint...which might take some time to dry after you put get them fitted.  I don't have nearly the problems I used to when cleaning. 

 

Also I have decided if anyone wants to know more about off airpor/dirt/grass stuff even though I am not a CFI yet, eventually, I would love to let you know the knowledge I've gained so feel free to ask!

 

Bryan

[carusoam]

Bryan,

You need to borrow one of Oscar's cameras.

Best regards,

-a-

[Oscar Avalle]

Bryan, You need to borrow one of Oscar's cameras. Best regards, -a-

Brian's vídeos are great he does not need my cameras...I need his scenery! Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[Awqward]

> Not grass but maybe relevant......

Makes me feel homesick!

[Awqward]

William Creek, Australia is located halfway on the Oodnadatta Track, 210 kilometres north of Marree and 166 kilometres east of Coober Pedy in South Australia. The town has a population of 6. Wikipedia.... About as "outback" as it gets!

[fantom]

 

. . . But then, I don't live in or near places like he shows, so it's an easy choice for me to make.

 

Easy choice for you; a necessity for mountain man