How to Build a Grass Landing Strip
Release time：2023-05-01 07:42:39 oRead0
Method 1
Method 1 of 4:
Site Selection
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Consider the following factors:
- Flatness and/or the amount of work required to level the area.
- Direction of prevailing winds and/or seasonal cross-winds.
- Drainage of area. Slight sloping (2% maximum grade) is okay.
- Cost of construction.
- Access to buildings and or roads.
- Local, State and National guidelines governing private airstrips.
- Crosswind strip if crosswinds are common in your area.
- Safe, barrier free approaches, even if strip will never be used at night.
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Stability especially in poor weather.
- Note: The suitability of the soil to grow grass often correlates with the suitability of the soil for a landing strip. Too much clay will produce a soupy mess when wet, for example.
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Dimensions:
- 75 feet (22.9 m) wide in open grassy areas
- 200 feet (61.0 m) wide in wooded areas
- 3,200 feet (975.4 m) in length.
- Note: You must take altitude and average maximum temperature at the hottest time of the year into consideration when planning landing strip length to allow for diminished engine power under conditions for your area. Consult a runway and landing strip nomograph for your area.
- 1 Clear entire area.
- 2 Completely remove roots of trees and shrubs.
- 3 Fill in low areas.
- 4 Eliminate any breaks in grade or surface mounds as well as any ditches.
- 5 Fill in and compact the soil in any animal burrows.
- 6 Remove any obstructions at the ends of the strip. Power lines, trees, etc should be removed, lowered and/or lighted.
- 7 Grade the strip 6 inches (15.2 cm) higher in the middle to improve drainage. Stabilize with topsoil and grass seeding if necessary.
- 8 Mark airstrip boundaries in such a way as to be visible from the air.
- 9 Install a wind cone or tetrahedron and mark a circular area around it to draw attention to it from the air.
- 10Create a tie-down area away from the airstrip.