BeechTalk - BT

Username Protected · **Posted:** 06 Apr 2021, 21:51

Well, got quite a mission.

I have 800’ of runway on my ranch unless I want to engage some earth movers. Looking at STOL options for keeping a plane here. Obvious contender is the cub. Maybe a Kitfox Series 7 STI.

What should I be looking at? Dirt now, will be irrigated grass soon. Trying to keep it cheap and fun or else it’ll lose its luster.

Ideas?

Username Protected · **Posted:** 06 Apr 2021, 22:39

How much weight are you planning to fly? Any obstacles or can you use the first blade of grass on each end? I used to fly an Avid Flyer, which is very similar to the Kitfox, at least to about the KF5. I am 160# and could use 250' out of a 2500' runway most of the time solo. I bounded a 250' strip within the long strip which I did not allow myself to get out of. It became quite easy. That said, there where no obstacles and I could put it down in the first foot, there was no pucker factored for the lack of runway to spare. With this type of airplane an additional 100# considerably changes the performance available. If I want to do this kind of flying on a normal basis, I think that I would choose a Cub derivative. That said, I have not had the opportunity to wring on out, I was just unhappy about a negative performance with a little more weight. It was undoable by the time my son got to be about 10-12 yr old. (He wasn't heavy)

:cheers:

Username Protected · **Posted:** 06 Apr 2021, 22:56

Username Protected wrote:

How much weight are you planning to fly? Any obstacles or can you use the first blade of grass on each end? I used to fly an Avid Flyer, which is very similar to the Kitfox, at least to about the KF5. I am 160# and could use 250' out of a 2500' runway most of the time solo. I bounded a 250' strip within the long strip which I did not allow myself to get out of. It became quite easy. That said, there where no obstacles and I could put it down in the first foot, there was no pucker factored for the lack of runway to spare. With this type of airplane an additional 100# considerably changes the performance available. If I want to do this kind of flying on a normal basis, I think that I would choose a Cub derivative. That said, I have not had the opportunity to wring on out, I was just unhappy about a negative performance with a little more weight. It was undoable by the time my son got to be about 10-12 yr old. (He wasn't heavy)

:cheers:

I am 230#, probably another passenger once in a while at 195#. Very rare for a passenger of weight. Mostly wife or kid at sub #105.

Small obstacle at one end, a tree. Maybe 20’ high. Looks like most Cubs are available at $35k, always upgrade the engine at overhaul.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 06 Apr 2021, 23:01

Username Protected wrote:

Well, got quite a mission.

I have 800’ of runway on my ranch unless I want to engage some earth movers. Looking at STOL options for keeping a plane here. Obvious contender is the cub. Maybe a Kitfox Series 7 STI.

What should I be looking at? Dirt now, will be irrigated grass soon. Trying to keep it cheap and fun or else it’ll lose its luster.

Ideas?

Cessna 140. Pacer. 170. A lot of cheap options.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 06 Apr 2021, 23:18

Username Protected wrote:

Well, got quite a mission.

I have 800’ of runway on my ranch unless I want to engage some earth movers. Looking at STOL options for keeping a plane here. Obvious contender is the cub. Maybe a Kitfox Series 7 STI.

What should I be looking at? Dirt now, will be irrigated grass soon. Trying to keep it cheap and fun or else it’ll lose its luster.

Ideas?

Cessna 140. Pacer. 170. A lot of cheap options.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 06 Apr 2021, 23:28

Username Protected wrote:

A 140 will fly and land off 800’?

50’ obstacle is 1,500’ takeoff run.

Yes. Find Dustin Mosher (@flyingfiddler) on instagram.

-J

Username Protected · **Posted:** 06 Apr 2021, 23:56

Call me biased, but I have an old pa-11 with an A65. It is the most fun plane to own and fly. I'd be comfortable in and out of 800', its a delight to fly, and ownership costs are easy on the pocketbook. Definitely try a cub if you haven't flown one.

Jim

Username Protected · **Posted:** 07 Apr 2021, 00:26

Username Protected wrote:

Cessna 140. Pacer. 170. A lot of cheap options.

A 140 will fly and land off 800’?

50’ obstacle is 1,500’ takeoff run.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 07 Apr 2021, 00:30

it's not a tail dragger but it's hard to beat a 701 for this mission. here's a guy in a similar situation

[youtube]https://youtu.be/IFkUMhQ8t9Q[/youtube]

Username Protected · **Posted:** 07 Apr 2021, 07:08

Username Protected wrote:

Ideas?

Lots of 800 ft options.

Do you ever want to go anywhere further than 50nm from here?

Most fun per $ will be the ones that you can fly with the door(s) open, or those with no need for doors. Most of those won’t get anywhere in a reasonable amount of time.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 07 Apr 2021, 07:31

I would not buy a 140 for that mission.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 07 Apr 2021, 08:40

Username Protected wrote:

it's not a tail dragger but it's hard to beat a 701 for this mission. here's a guy in a similar situation

[youtube]https://youtu.be/IFkUMhQ8t9Q[/youtube]

Cool plane! Nice video.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 07 Apr 2021, 09:33

https://youtu.be/E_I3mS0BDWY?t=162

Username Protected · **Posted:** 07 Apr 2021, 10:35

Pipistrel virus SW?

Rgs,

Patrick

Username Protected · **Posted:** 07 Apr 2021, 10:38

With your desired load, I don't think an Avid/Kitfox is up to the mission. Ergonomics would also be a no go. I loved my Avid, but it wasn't really a 2 person airplane in performance, and was very uncomfortable seating.