Re: Astro turf...no kidding

Wingnutz · 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

Bobmic · 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?

flying saucer · October 15, 2012, 05:28:42 PM

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.

bfeist · October 15, 2012, 09:43:51 PM

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

Bobmic · 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.

Ededge2002 · October 15, 2012, 10:00:30 PM

the field is rough? I just figured that it just wasnt to scale!

flying saucer · October 15, 2012, 10:21:02 PM

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.

Wingnutz · October 16, 2012, 10:08:22 AM

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.

flying saucer · October 16, 2012, 08:15:39 PM

Absolutely, thanks Bill!

Polecat · 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

Skyking · October 17, 2012, 01:34:59 PM

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.

Ededge2002 · October 17, 2012, 05:43:47 PM

I like grass.

Playing Through

Papa · October 17, 2012, 09:32:19 PM

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.

thehaze · October 17, 2012, 09:41:43 PM

Quote from: Ededge2002 on October 17, 2012, 05:43:47 PM
I like grass.

Playing Through

I'm surprised you haven't mentioned the beaver yet..

flying saucer · October 17, 2012, 11:34:16 PM

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.