Does anybody know were I can find the shortest airstrip in the world, operated at least by one pilot, probably the owner himself. (Doesnt include model airfild, please!)
I would like to se some pictures and type of aircraft, equipment etc.
Myself I have a Stinson 108-1 and planning for a 600 feet and 3 % upslope, one-way-strip.

Just southwest of Lebanon, Oregon there is hill that a guy lands his ultralight on. The runway is probably only 200 feet. It has a good approach from the south, but trees on the north. Next time I fly that way, I'll take a picture for you. I haven't ever seen the guy fly in or out, but I've seen the plane parked there.

tom

How about two catagories? Private and public?

The shortest might not be the most frightening, like some in Utah.
You might find the facts hard to confirm, as many operate from one way strips below insurable minimums.Sometimes, it is only the fact that we've been doing it for many years, that convinces the Ins. co. to buy in. I think nothing teaches us like exposure to risk as uninsurable inexperienced wanabees.Then when you get allot of hours as a Float flyer or Taildragger, The record of how you got there is a sobering reality.
It's surprising that as a survival tool, slow flight, full aft trim and CG are not an emphasized part of training.

winger wrote:You might find the facts hard to confirm, as many operate from one way strips below insurable minimums.Sometimes, it is only the fact that we've been doing it for many years, that convinces the Ins. co. to buy in. I think nothing teaches us like exposure to risk as uninsurable inexperienced wanabees.Then when you get allot of hours as a Float flyer or Taildragger, The record of how you got there is a sobering reality.
It's surprising that as a survival tool, slow flight, full aft trim and CG are not an emphasized part of training.

Your insurance company tells you the minimum length of a runway that they will insure you on? Never seen that before.

My policy operating from home required a runway length confirmation.
I will try to find the explanation , as I did question it.
Some Bonanza / Mooney policy's don't cover off airport-gravel strips, Ice landing on frozen Lake.
but the key there is, You had an emergency, got a bug in my eye, it hurt. Then they have to cover you.
Its been some time, but when I set up here, It was questioned for even a Non Motion Policy if I remember right.
I think The Non Motion from grass covered liability of others landing here.

stinsoner wrote:Does anybody know were I can find the shortest airstrip in the world, operated at least by one pilot, probably the owner himself. (Doesnt include model airfild, please!)
I would like to se some pictures and type of aircraft, equipment etc.
Myself I have a Stinson 108-1 and planning for a 600 feet and 3 % upslope, one-way-strip.

Need to find out your"strip" altitude and power of 108-1. Have friend Bruce Barton who has several 108's from 150 hp to 235hp. He regularly operates
at 3000 MSL in and out of 600 ft. or less . 600ft. is "International Airport"
to Bruce and me. I've got a 150' takeoff( density altitude about 5000ft.) and less landing video -10 megs so it's too big to attach here. Contact me directly with something like STOL take off in subject line. Give me your airplane "N" number to keep spamers out -if the "N" number matches the owner we'll talk.

Bonanza Man wrote:

winger wrote:You might find the facts hard to confirm, as many operate from one way strips below insurable minimums.Sometimes, it is only the fact that we've been doing it for many years, that convinces the Ins. co. to buy in. I think nothing teaches us like exposure to risk as uninsurable inexperienced wanabees.Then when you get allot of hours as a Float flyer or Taildragger, The record of how you got there is a sobering reality.
It's surprising that as a survival tool, slow flight, full aft trim and CG are not an emphasized part of training.

Your insurance company tells you the minimum length of a runway that they will insure you on? Never seen that before.

I read every word in my policy and I didn't see anything about length of runways niether.

I'v been told by Mooney friends it was on the policy.
My issue was operating from a home Strip, then they wanted Lth. confirmed.
They are quick at comparing the operating manual to your numbers.
Not to mention a one-way
Go into 700 ft. strip with a plane that book states the lading distance 1200ft.
Have a wreck and let us know how you made out.
I'v never wrecked a plane that was my flying fault, but I have gone thru thin ice on lakes in remote area's,
and the Ins. co. recorded statement from me covered more details than I want to remember.

I'v been told by Mooney friends it was on the policy.




It's certainly possible and on a Mooney, who cares. That's about the worst possible plane for off airport operations anyways. I've owned for a little over 10 years now and have had most insurance companies for my 177, 182 and now my Bo. Never even a hint of a restriction of any kind about where I choose to land.




My issue was operating from a home Strip, then they wanted Lth. confirmed.
They are quick at comparing the operating manual to your numbers.
Not to mention a one-way
Go into 700 ft. strip with a plane that book states the lading distance 1200ft.
Have a wreck and let us know how you made out.



I have wrecked a plane, not because of this issue though. Relatively painless. If you did try to land on a 700 foot strip where the book says you need 1200 you're still covered. One of the primary things insurance companies insure is your stupidity or lack of common sense. If they didn't hardly anybody could collect from their insurance company.

Stinsoner-- What's insurance like in Sweden?

Bonanza Man-- You suck at quoting.

Didn't this thread start off about shortest strips??

Shortest landing strip ive seen is Pietsch Flying Services of Minot, ND. They have a couple of 20 foot ramps mounted on top of a pickup. Takes a little practise but dosent seem to work to bad. doug

Well, in Sweden we have, I guess, the same rules as in the US. The pilot is covered by the issurance if he fly by the rules, if not - no money. For example: A short strip is ok if the aircraft can take off and fly at least 50 feet above the ground at the end of the strip.

182 STOL driver wrote:Need to find out your"strip" altitude and power of 108-1. Have friend Bruce Barton who has several 108's from 150 hp to 235hp. He regularly operatesat 3000 MSL in and out of 600 ft. or less . 600ft. is "International Airport"to Bruce and me. I've got a 150' takeoff( density altitude about 5000ft.) and less landing video -10 megs so it's too big to attach here.

Sure I can see that. but not at 5000 ft. When I had a 180 hp 172, I landed in places I shouldn't
have, once on a slushy frozen river with firewood in the luggage area to keep the tail low, he he. anything for laughs.
I always liked the 108, I was just talking with a friend about that, I thought its about the most performance for the dollar.
An awesome float plane with the Franklin..

The shortest commercial airport is Juancho Yrausquin Airport Saba, Netherlands Antilles, 1200' long. Cliffs on both ends dropping into the ocean, no overruns. There are several YouTube videos of it. Been there once, in a fully loaded Twin Otter, its a no bulls$#t landing at 12,500lbs, but the pilots do it safely every day. What an awesome plane, and pilots.

http://www.georgiajets.org/Links/FWIW/S ... rport.html

Of course I think the most impressive airport used for daily commercial service is Lukla Airport in Nepal by DO-228's and DHC-6's. 1600' long with a 12% slope at about 9400MSL. One way in and out, with a 2000' drop at the end of the runway, that will help if you are not already flying. Mountains immediately surrounding the airport rise thousands of feet. Planes crash there every few years. Most recently on Oct. 6, 2008, 18 people were killed in a DHC6, the pilot survived. I would hate to have been him.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqgZvb37 ... re=related

I think that Highlander that rolled down the hill without the engine running takes the cake for shortest "unimproved" strip. He used it more than once.

Savannah-Tom wrote:Just southwest of Lebanon, Oregon there is hill that a guy lands his ultralight on. The runway is probably only 200 feet. It has a good approach from the south, but trees on the north. Next time I fly that way, I'll take a picture for you. I haven't ever seen the guy fly in or out, but I've seen the plane parked there.

tom

Here's the picture. Mowed part is about 200' long.

Poison Spring has to be in the shortest/scariest club neh?

Tom,
I like that little joint! Nice location too.
I found it on google and measured it. Seems to be about 350-400 mowed with about 550-600 total feet to the short pine trees.
Funny thing is the day the imagery was shot he was there and you can see a set of wings sitting in front of the cabin on google!

lowflyin'G3 wrote:Seems to be about 350-400 mowed with about 550-600 total feet to the short pine trees.
Funny thing is the day the imagery was shot he was there and you can see a set of wings sitting in front of the cabin on google!

Great job locating it in Google. You're right about the length. It sure does look smaller when flying by it. For others, here's the google link:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&g ... iwloc=addr

tom