Bushy wrote:
In the real world all the time. I land on dirt runways that are
anywhere from 1000 feet long to 5000 feet long in my 182. Your landing
technique depends on what the actual conditions are when you land.



How soft can you go?

I generally avoid muddy soft, too much work cleaning up the plane. Plus
you never know whats really under the mud. I don't hesitate to land on
grass, dirt, gravel, dry river beds, shorlines, etc.



I'm looking at purchasing (or homebuilding) something
to operate from my farm. I have 1000 feet avavialbe that I can clean up the
rest of the rocks and clear the trees at the end, but it was cultivated for
many years before I purchased it.

The soil is rich red clay based loam that turns to "swallow the car muck"
when it gets a good rain, but with a grass cover and light rain it is just a
little slippery.....

With 1000 feet total you're in Cub territory. In really wet conditions
you may be grounded for a day ot two.


There is a guideline for home strips from Aussie Gov. that recommends a
light truck leaving about an inch of depression in the surface being a
cut-off for flying onto, but maybe I should just invest in a good set of
skis or floats for when it gets heavy? ;)

Get a roller and compact the earth with a nice crown in the middle for
drainage.