Q for the pilots…..

[W&KO]

Which way would you take off on this strip…..??

Dirt strip
Slopes down east to west
15kn wind west to east

We watched

two planes take off with the wind going up hill and

One taking off into the wind down hill, this guy seems to get into the air much quicker than the others.

Or is it more complex….to me, only ever a passenger in plane taking off into the wind down hill makes sense

planes look similar, small tourist planes generally carrying 4 passengers

Some of the pilots are getting impatient as the airstrip needs repairs after recent rain and landing is difficult…..three decent washouts across the strip and small ruts following the wheel tracks.

[JDNSW]

The answer is - it all depends! On the slope, the wind, and the terrain beyond the end of the airstrip.

As a general rule, takeoff should always be into wind unless the wind is very light, or the available takeoff run adequate - the required length can be calculated knowing the tailwind. Generally avoid taking off downwind as it increases distance required and groundspeed at liftoff.

But.....takeoff uphill should always be avoided unless there is no other option and there is a headwind that is a good proportion of the takeoff speed. Or if the slope is very slight.

[W&KO]

As a general rule, takeoff should always be into wind unless the wind is very light, or the available takeoff run adequate - the required length can be calculated knowing the tailwind. Generally avoid taking off downwind as it increases distance required and groundspeed at liftoff.

.

That’s what we were thinking, one plane wouldn’t have even been thinking about the damaged parts of tie run way while the other two would have been thinking about it a whole lot more….

Although all three got up, up and away with ease…….

Dunno why we are touching up the runway.

Oh hangon, may for the bigger planes, think they call them a caravan……they look like they need more runway to land and take off.

[Ronski]

But.....takeoff uphill should always be avoided unless there is no other option and there is a headwind that is a good proportion of the takeoff speed. Or if the slope is very slight.

Agree, but as said, if runway is long enough and tailwind is light, taking off downwind is fine, many Pilots of small aircraft opt for this, after calculating.
The main reason would be, they are heading in that direction, therefore do not need to climb out to min. 500ft agl. and then turn around to continue on their way. Basically saving fuel.

The caravan is a Cessna with single engine jet turbine powered prop. up to 12-15 seats.

[W&KO]

[B]

Agree, but as said, if runway is long enough and tailwind is light, taking off downwind is fine, many Pilots of small aircraft opt for this, after calculating.
The main reason would be, they are heading in that direction, therefore do not need to climb out to min. 500ft agl. and then turn around to continue on their way. Basically saving fuel.

The caravan is a Cessna with single engine jet turbine powered prop. up to 12-15 seats.

Cheers…..

Yeah thought I heard right when they called it a caravan. It looked like it had storage underneath as well.

[JDNSW]

Some of them do - its an option.

[superquag]

MANY Moons ago, a bright spark tried to import a couple of Antonov AN-2's ("Annie") for tourist & freight use in the far away outback, but - CENSORED - or the - REDACTED - kicked up a massive tantrum.... and it never got off the ground.


The CAA offered another excuse...


But I reckon nearly double the range and payload was in there somewhere, along with cost / ruggedness and a lower price tag...

Pardon Our Interruption (https://www.aviationtrader.com.au/listings/for-sale/antonov/an-2/aircraft).



Pity, radials sound much more...'Aircrafty' than whining thingies

[Barraman]

It depends, but as a general rule:
1) TO and LAND into wind
2) TO downhill, LAND uphill (even if it means landing with a tailwind)

That said, the only time I have thought I was going to bend a aeroplane was landing uphill with a tailwind! [bawl]

[superquag]

It depends, but as a general rule:
1) TO and LAND into wind
2) TO downhill, LAND uphill (even if it means landing with a tailwind)

That said, the only time I have thought I was going to bend a aeroplane was landing uphill with a tailwind! [bawl]

Part of my training was up/down hill. May not be applicable to vintage trucks (C-172 etc) but the Jabiru preferred up-hill for landing, and downhill for take-off. - Bonus if wind is co-operative. Everything was about keeping the nosewheel un-molested.
(And taking off downhill is the only time a Jabby pilot will ever feel ...."acceleration" [bigwhistle])

[W&KO]

Two off these landed today, seemed happy with the repairs to the strip…..

Awesome to see a female pilot as well

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20221007/81af13e629e44af79df04031999287e2.jpg

[austastar]

Awesome to see a female pilot as well

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20221007/81af13e629e44af79df04031999287e2.jpg

Hi,
Don't need a penis to fly an aeroplane.

Cheers

[Shonky]

Don't need a penis to fly an aeroplane.


No, but flaps certainly help.

[BradC]

There's a joke about the stick shaker in here somewhere.

[Fourgearsticks]

Unless the slope is no more than slight ALWAYS take off downhill !!!