Non-Paved Runways

 Abstract:   How does the 109 handle non paved runways. I have a dirt runway close to home that gliders and tow planes have no problem with.

Subject: 109 questions
From: Ray
Date: 5/17/08 1:25 PM
To: G109_Pilots@yahoogroups.com

How does the 109 handle non paved runways. I have a dirt runway close to home that gliders and tow planes have no problem with.

Subject: Re: [G109_Pilots] 109 questions
From: "Ackerman Capt. Ron" <ronackerman
Date: 5/17/08 1:43 PM
To: G109_Pilots@yahoogroups.com

Ray,

The 109B handles well on unpaved runways, however, like all aircraft, either soft ground or high grass will degrade performance considerably.

Capt. Ron

Subject: Re: [G109_Pilots] 109 questions
From: Soaringrob
Date: 5/18/08 4:42 AM
To: G109_Pilots@yahoogroups.com

No Problem with grass. Do you mean grass or dirt? I have been operating my 109 off grass for 20 years. By the end of the summer the grass is worn thin in spots. A little dirt does not matter. Rob Wilkinson, Soaring Adventures.

Subject: Re: [G109_Pilots] 109 questions
From:
Date: 5/18/08 8:13 AM
To: <G109_Pilots@yahoogroups.com>

Well here in the North/West it is always grass! It has to be mowed weekly!

Subject: Re: [G109_Pilots] 109 questions
From: Dick
Date: 5/18/08 10:00 AM
To: G109_Pilots@yahoogroups.com

I feel that the 109 does not handle dirt runways well here in Southern California. I have never flown my 109 off a dirt strip after seeing the damage done to a friends fiberglass prop on his 109B by flying only occasionally off a dirt strip here in So. Cal. I bought my 109 in Ohio where it was flown off a grass strip for 20 years with no problems. There is a big difference between operating off a grass strip in an area that gets enough rain to sustain the grass and operating in an area that is basically desert.

Subject: Re: [G109_Pilots] 109 questions
From: "Ackerman Capt. Ron" <ronackerman
To: G109_Pilots@yahoogroups.com

Cost for Hoffman rebuilding a prop here in South Florida $2400. I had them also put a protective strip on the leading edge.

Subject: Re: [G109_Pilots] 109 questions
From:
Date: 5/18/08 5:49 PM
To: <G109_Pilots@yahoogroups.com>

My prop wll be time expired ( five years) this fall would you give me the name of the prop shop in Florida? Thanks, Paul

Subject: Re: [G109_Pilots] 109 questions
From: "Ackerman Capt. Ron" <ronackerman@yGAkpMtqyLRh7kG6FeHN_ff-pue3Jrnaw2SmgMGOoTTLP9CgzE_0Nz_k2v2TCuCXK-SNt6uOgU17OX6fp0XSDlRY.yahoo.invalid>
Date: 5/18/08 9:26 PM
To: G109_Pilots@yahoogroups.com

Paul,

The shop that did mine was:
Aviation Propellors Inc.
12970 Port Said Road
Opa Loca, FL 33054
Repair Station# ME4R359M
(305) 688-6030
www.avprops.com/

When they finish, you have a zero time prop. Hope they can help you. Mine took about a week.

Capt. Ron

Subject: rigging/derig tool for 109B grob
From: "Paul Cullman" <antiqair@QXSReJ5eNQRianUj1VfLSPVIrkQ_9CcEr44miU2AIx-xFApI3GYPoEESsfKJ5J6B8RFLVeh1DVchCA.yahoo.invalid>
Date: 5/17/08 8:34 PM
To: G109_Pilots@yahoogroups.com

I am presently operating of a two thousand foot grass strip that is one
way. The Grob loves the grass as long as it is mowed.