Re: Tom Knauff's newsletter

"Jim Logajan" <JamesL@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message 
news:Xns9ACFAD073D6B1JamesLLugojcom@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Andy <a.durbin@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
>> I agree with most of that but it may be too simple an answer. You need
>> to know what crop is grown in the area you are flying and how tall it
>> is likely to be at that particular time of year.  You also need to
>> know how it is watered or irrigated.   Landings in siphon irrigated
>> cotton fields, that are common in Arizona, can be made safely with no
>> crop damage if you are able to keep both wheels in the same furrow and
>> if the cotton is still short. On the other hand I know of a glider
>> that sufferered significant fuselage damage on landing in a recently
>> plowed field.  The dirt clods were as hard as concrete and up to a
>> foot across.
>
> Wow - does this mean I need to get an endorsement for agricultural
science
> on my certificate before I solo, or just before attempting a cross 
> country?
> ;-)

Wouldn't hurt.

I agree with what Andy wrote.  A freshly cut crop like a wheat stubble
field 
is a great runway.  Fallow wheat fields are nice too.

Wheat stubble is usually brown, however, not green.  Uncut wheat looks 
almost the same until you are low enough to see the "waves of grain" and 
then it may be too late to pick something else.  If you land in standing 
wheat, close the air vents.  I didn't and got a very upset hornet in the 
cockpit with me.

Big, hard clods in a plowed field are a problem for gear doors if not
more.