REFLECTOR: Fw: XLRG on Grass

[Ron Brown]

Here's a message string re operating Velocities off Grass.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Chuck Jensen" <cjensen at dts9000.com>
To: "'Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list'" <reflector at tvbf.org>
Sent: Tuesday, July 06, 2004 9:01 PM
Subject: RE: REFLECTOR: XLRG on Grass


>I own a Velo (XL RG 340) that was flown the first 40 hours off Leeward. Not
> Recommended.  The prop looked like it'd been used as a weed-wacker and
> someone sandblasted it with a peck of pebbles.  Yes, Leeward is
> well-manicured but I suspect crushed limestone/coral was involved in the
> strip construction (6200').  Basically, no matter how careful, you're 
> going
> to eventually get a prop-full.  There is another Velo there, a Std, that
> seem to have better luck with his lower hp, fixed pitch props.  As always,
> results may vary.
>
> Chuck
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: reflector-bounces at tvbf.org [mailto:reflector-bounces at tvbf.org]On
> Behalf Of johnward
> Sent: Tuesday, July 06, 2004 12:03 PM
> To: Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list
> Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: XLRG on Grass
>
>
> Tim, I'm the John Ward that Ronnie mentioned and I operate my Standard
> Velocity RG Elite from a 2,500 foot turf strip.  The engine is an 
> IO-360C1e6
> with MT prop.  I wouldn't operate from here if I didn't own the strip
> because it's barely long enough.  Have to be pretty light on fuel if I 
> have
> a passenger.  The only prop damage, mostly sand abrasion of paint and 
> stone
> dings were when I flew off the initial hours after certification at
> Sebastian.  The prop has since been repainted and looks like new except 
> for
> one ding from a stone (I think) that happened at RYY, a paved runway.  I
> have a total of 155 hours on the plane and I would prefer a grass strip 
> but
> a nice long one like Leeward Air Ranch in central Florida.  The only
> downside I have from the turf strip is the dead bug residue on the prop 
> that
> is more prevalent than from a paved surface.  I guess you could hit the
> grass on rotation but that hasn't been a problem since it's mowed once a
> week in the growing season.  I don't believe the grass clipping/residue 
> that
> may hit the prop is going to any more significant than the bugs that run
> into the prop.  I have friends with an XL and long EZ that haven't had a
> problem at my strip.
> Hope this helps,
> John Ward
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: <TimRhod at aol.com>
> To: <reflector at tvbf.org>
> Sent: Monday, July 05, 2004 10:08 PM
> Subject: REFLECTOR: XLRG on Grass
>
>
>> Can Anyone share their experience using the XLRG on grass strips. Does it
>> hurt you MT prop if it hits the grass?  Does it hit the grass on rotation
> or
>> landing?   Any gear problems on grass. Im considering retiring to  an
> airpark
>> and a lot of the ones I'm considering have grass Strips. If grass is  OK
> what
>> would you consider a minimum runway length?   Thanks Tim  Rhodenbaugh
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>
>
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