Flew at the NIPMAC field in North Bay this past weekend and they had a fabric (White astro turf?)runway in the middle of a grass field. (There was also a four-legged beaver in the middle of one of the two runways!) Transition from grass to runway was seamless as I taxied over it a couple of times. Fabric was held in place with spikes and came from a paper mill I think at a cost of a couple of hundred dollars...not bad for a 50x3-4 yard ! Apparently the fabric kills the grass underneath and then some kind of fine screenings will be compacted to make a permanent strip. ROGO maybe? I'd really like to do fewer nose-overs!
Pictures are from my dumb phone...sorry about the quality
Quote from: Wingnutz on October 12, 2012, 08:19:56 AM
Flew at the NIPMAC field in North Bay this past weekend and they had a fabric (White astro turf?)runway in the middle of a grass field. (There was also a four-legged beaver in the middle of one of the two runways!) Transition from grass to runway was seamless as I taxied over it a couple of times. Fabric was held in place with spikes and came from a paper mill I think at a cost of a couple of hundred dollars...not bad for a 50x3-4 yard ! Apparently the fabric kills the grass underneath and then some kind of fine screenings will be compacted to make a permanent strip. ROGO maybe? I'd really like to do fewer nose-overs!
Pictures are from my dumb phone...sorry about the quality
So what do we need to do in order to have a similar setup?
Quote from: bfeist on October 13, 2012, 11:58:06 AM
Quote from: Bobmic on October 12, 2012, 10:16:44 PM
Quote from: Wingnutz on October 12, 2012, 08:19:56 AM
Flew at the NIPMAC field in North Bay this past weekend and they had a fabric (White astro turf?)runway in the middle of a grass field. (There was also a four-legged beaver in the middle of one of the two runways!) Transition from grass to runway was seamless as I taxied over it a couple of times. Fabric was held in place with spikes and came from a paper mill I think at a cost of a couple of hundred dollars...not bad for a 50x3-4 yard ! Apparently the fabric kills the grass underneath and then some kind of fine screenings will be compacted to make a permanent strip. ROGO maybe? I'd really like to do fewer nose-overs!
Pictures are from my dumb phone...sorry about the quality
So what do we need to do in order to have a similar setup?
What are we talking about here? Killing a stretch of the field grass so we can have fabric on it so we can fly a 14 pound golfstream? I've lost track.
Ben
Ben, I think what we're talking about are ways to improve the condition of the field. As far as what types of planes TEMAC members will be able to fly afterwards, that is completely up to them.
In my opinion, the first step to doing any sort of field improvement work would be to have a heavy duty (8000lbs+) roller come in and roll the field when the conditions are optimal. I have heard of a new RC flying club in the north end that had this done, and it made a world of difference.
I'm all for putting the effort in to rolling the field and nurturing the grass that grows on it. Let me know how I can help.
Ben
Any one knows what's required and how much will it cost to rent the equipment to roll the field or have some do it?
- Is it only rolling with a really heavy roller or do we need to do any additional prep work?
- I am guessing this time of year could work as the ground should not be to hard.
the field is rough? I just figured that it just wasnt to scale!
Quote from: Bobmic on October 15, 2012, 09:53:19 PM
Any one knows what's required and how much will it cost to rent the equipment to roll the field or have some do it?
- Is it only rolling with a really heavy roller or do we need to do any additional prep work?
- I am guessing this time of year could work as the ground should not be to hard.
Does anyone know one of the execs down at the Toronto club? If memory serves they have their field rolled each year as part of regular field maintenance. This way we could get an idea of the cost involved and other factors that come into play.
Jeff,
I'm a member at the Toronto club and know most of the exec. I'll ask about rolling...their field is a little easier on warbird take-offs and landings than TEMAC's but not perfect...I can still do a nose-over there too! Rolling, runway, whatever, I'm all for a smoother surface however we can do it. Sorry I diverted the thread but a field that's kind to tiny wheels or scale tail draggers would be great.
Absolutely, thanks Bill!
At Orangeville we roll our field every spring, with a 1-2 ton roller. It is done when the field is dry enough to and takes us about 8 hours.
The roller is rented from a rental company and costs about $200.00.
Our field is in perfect condition and we cut the grass very short [less than 1"].
I have taken off a small electric with 1 1/2" wheels with no problems.
Hope this info helps.
Ken
Hi Guys,
Lets get back to the first and second post.
I have wiped out more than 5 retractable landing gear this season.
In the first post an example of a workable SMOOTH runway was given.
The second post asks a question that needs an answer. What would it involve for TEMAC to have something similar?
Bill Q, Can you contact the Nipmac club to get an answer?
By the way guys, I heard from one of the other Kens that the Keswick club has a carpeted or rubbery surface and Kelly At Flying Stuff Hobbies informed me that the Port Hope club was putting in something similar.
I like grass.
Playing Through (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmxcmpR1GQA#)
It's not Astro Turf. It's a felt off a Fourdrinier Machine. A Fourdrinier Machine makes paper from pulp. When it is worn they replace them and what the club has is a worn out felt. The paper pulp is deposited on the felt to start its drying process and eventually emerge as paper. The only likely source here would be Atlantic Packaging who recycle but I think the use a fine metal mesh rather than felt. Paper mills use sulphuric acid in their digesters which creates an abominable odour and that is why they are many miles from any large town.
Anyone have any contacts?
Jack.
Quote from: Ededge2002 on October 17, 2012, 05:43:47 PM
I like grass.
Playing Through (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmxcmpR1GQA#)
I'm surprised you haven't mentioned the beaver yet..
Quote from: Polecat on October 17, 2012, 08:43:32 AM
At Orangeville we roll our field every spring, with a 1-2 ton roller. It is done when the field is dry enough to and takes us about 8 hours.
The roller is rented from a rental company and costs about $200.00.
Our field is in perfect condition and we cut the grass very short [less than 1"].
I have taken off a small electric with 1 1/2" wheels with no problems.
Hope this info helps.
Ken
Thanks for the info Polecat, seems almost too easy!
Would be great if we could get something similar happening.
We should just get one of these for the field!
I don't think we could get a full size plane for TEMAC, Ed.
Is that what you meant? :P
oddly enough i think the plane would be cheaper in the long run..
It wouldn't work ... the high heels will stick in the mud.
Jack.
Promised I would look into how the Toronto club smooths their grass field. Here's the answer from Richard Staron FIELD OFFICER, an executive post at RCFCT.
"We roll the field about 4-5X in the early spring when the ground is very soft. We own the roller which is filled with water and drained at the end of the season. Total weight of the roller is about 800-900 lbs and is pulled behind our mower. If its at all possible, rolling the field after a good 2 or 3 day rainfall really makes a big difference."
Sounds pretty similar to what we're doing.
I'll see if I can get an answer from the NIPMAC gang
Thanks so much for stepping forward and helping us with this Bill. I really appreciate your collaborative support.
Would be sweet to have a smoother field ... even though I've seen planes with as small as 1.75" wheels ROG there. Michael don't you ROG your Habu 32 (the red and silver one ;)) from our field? What size wheels doe it have?
Colin
The wheels on my "Aerostar" that high wing speedster plane are just 1.5" AND it has wheel pants that go past the half way point. I taxi, take off and land it on the field at TEMAC.
Lots of arf models and scale models dont taxi/land/take off because the landing gear is poorly designed or placed.
Yeah I know ... would be nice to have a smoother field though ... makes for much more "scale" looking takeoffs. :) Interested to hear from Michael what his wheels are though cause Im hoping to get a jet for next season around the Habu's size and would love to be able to ROG with it.
Colin
My GWS400 Tiger Moth has 60 mm (2-3/8") wheels. No problems at all with take-offs or landings.
Andy
My E-flite Bonanza had 2-inch rubber wheels, and while I could take-off at the field, it wasn't something I enjoyed doing. The model absorbed a fair amount of abuse that ended up causing me to replace two out of three retracts, and resulted in constant re-adjustment and tuning (I ended up selling the model).
PS Colin, I saw Michael's Habu 32 takeoff once or twice, it handled well, but I believe he is using very strong struts with e-flite retracts.
Check out p.29 of your latest Model Aviation(MAAC) magazine. Apparently lots of interest in smooth (curves) runways...stop looking at the cover photo!
I still didn't get my copy! I like the cover of the MAAC magazine... Very 80's... ;o)
This might be the only one that I keep... :-X