I was wondering what people thought would be the best aircraft to take (money aside) the most amount of people in a grass/dirt strip of about 3-4000 ft.

I was thinking a Caravan could do the job. Is there something better?

A C-130 Hercules comes to mind.

-DP

denalipilot wrote:A C-130 Hercules comes to mind.

you changed your post. you said "Turbine Otter" before didn't you?

I guess money aside. Wow and I didn't know a C-130 could do that.

TrevDog wrote:

denalipilot wrote:A C-130 Hercules comes to mind.

you changed your post. you said "Turbine Otter" before didn't you?

I guess money aside. Wow and I didn't know a C-130 could do that.

Depending on how bumpy the runway is a Dash-7 or a King Air could too

I saw a demo at an airshow with a C-17 doing a landing in under 2500 ft, using reverse thrust to backup, and taking off in the same distance. I'm sure it was very lightly loaded, but still impressive.

Piece of cake for a buffalo as well.

In the 1960's as the war in Vietnam was winding up, the US Navy had a problem transporting large items like jet engines to our aircraft carriers in the area. The "new" C2 COD (Carrier Onboard Delivery aircraft) aircraft weren't ready yet for deployment and the C1 COD was too small for large cargo pieces, like the spare jet engines.

So... there was a secret plan for test flying a C130 aircraft from an aircraft carrier! It actually worked! (no JATO units either). At slightly less than full load capacity a C130 could take off or land in less than 1000 feet with a good headwind, without assistance from the catapults (I know, that's cheating). In fact, the test C130/crew got so good at it that they could land (no arresting wire), come to a dead stop, rev it up and take off again in the remaining flightdeck space!

The C130 aircraft only flew those particular aircraft carrier tests, the C2 COD was rushed into manufacture and deployment.

I found some more info.

a utube video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjNyQvhsQE8

and a short article to read:

http://www.theaviationzone.com/factshee ... restal.asp

Quest Kodiak

http://questaircraft.com/

Its not a C130, but alot more obtainable and maintainable for GA.

Bill

Pilatus PC12! Two tons of useful load, 1300# with full fuel, huge cargo door, 1200HP. Take off a firm grass patch at full gross in about 2000' @ 1000' msl. climb to FL270 level off and cruise at 250kts at 52 gph for about 1800 nm or 7 hours. Its even has a lav. Best turbine safety record for turbine class including the twin turbines.

How about an AN-2 or AN-3?
There's one for sell on the SC site.
http://www.supercub.org/photoclass/showproduct.php?product=1192

Wow only 47K for that thing! 1000HP baby! Look at the size of it compared to the Cessna it's sitting next to.

AvidFlyer wrote:Wow only 47K for that thing! 1000HP baby! Look at the size of it compared to the Cessna it's sitting next to.

There's a reason they are so cheap in the US. They operate under a special airworthiness certificate that severely limits their (legal) use. If I were that guy I would be targeting international buyers.

I was reading what it cost / hr to operate the AN-2 and it was somewhere over $300. What's a Caravan or Otter cost / hr figuring in fuel, maintenance, etc.? I'd never looked that up. The Turbine AN-3 may do a little better / hr than the old radial. It claims to have less fuel burn and about 300lb more useful load.
They sure look cool!

wirsig wrote:I was reading what it cost / hr to operate the AN-2 and it was somewhere over $300. What's a Caravan or Otter cost / hr figuring in fuel, maintenance, etc.? I'd never looked that up. The Turbine AN-3 may do a little better / hr than the old radial. It claims to have less fuel burn and about 300lb more useful load.
They sure look cool!

hmmm.... the cessna's website said that a Caravan ran a little about $400/hr. I haven't found that on the Otter yet. Are you sure about that AN-2 per/hr. price?

There is an AN-2 sitting at Harvey Airfield S43 and I am sure the owner would be overjoyed to sell it to someone.

I saw the AN-2 at Harvey with only about six people on board take off in not a whole lot more than its own length.

TD

Just looked it up again, it said $330-460 / hr
http://an2flyers.com/

I don't have personal experience.

The AN-2 at Harvey Field hasnt flexed its wings in years as far as I know. Its more of a giant bird house now I think. But for short field and a lot of cargo? One of the new "Osprey's" comes to mind. I could have fun with one of those.

[quote][How about an AN-2 or AN-3?
There's one for sell on the SC site.
/quote]

That's alot of plane for $47K

I still like the Kodiak For $1.6 Million, since money was not an issue.
3,100lb useful load, 750hp P&W turbine, 10 seats, take off in 760'.
Garmin G1000 avionics
Cost per hour, ?

http://questaircraft.com/uploads/pdfs/f ... e_0901.pdf

Flat Country Pilot wrote:I still like the Kodiak For $1.6 Million, since money was not an issue.
3,100lb useful load, 750hp P&W turbine, 10 seats, take off in 760'.
Garmin G1000 avionics
Cost per hour, ?
http://questaircraft.com/uploads/pdfs/f ... e_0901.pdf

I like it too check out this video of it in and out of Allison Ranch, think it carries 10 well 8 passengers