800' strip - Maule/Cessna 180/Stinson?

[Jimbabwe]

Yes, I realize y'all will be biased toward Maules!

I have an 800' strip on top of a ridge. Drop offs at both ends; no trees with which to contend. Density altitude in summer can reach 4,500'

I need to buy a plane for my strip. I've owned an RV7 and a Cessna 120. I realize neither will be appropriate any longer. Tandem seat aircraft are unacceptable (according to my wife.)

Will a Maule be my only choice? If so, which one? I've never flown a Maule.

Will a Cessna 180 be capable? How about a Cessna 170 with 180hp? How about a Stinson 108-3 with 165hp?

As I have no real STOL experience except banner towing in a 150hp Cub, I'd really appreciate some real-world advice on my aircraft possibilities.

Thank you all.

Jim

[Mountain Doctor]

Many variables.

A fixed pitch 180 would be capable of getting out of there but not by much.

I'd say a max DA of maybe 5,000' unless you have a headwind. Add thick grass, more than 1/2 tanks or a portly passenger or a load and you'll be close.

On grass at a DA of about 2,000' with half tanks calm wind and 350 pounds of people and no luggage my Maule would use up every bit of 500-600' to lift off with correct technique.

Landing there would be easy. Obstacle clearance on climbout would be stressful.

A 180 C/S or a testicle equipped Maule would do well however.

[Jimbabwe]

Thanks. I didn't know there are fixed-pitch Cessna 180s.

Presently, the strip is compacted gravelly stuff. No grass.

What is YOUR Maule, that uses 600'?

[Mountain Doctor]

I thought you meant and I was referencing the 180 HP Maule. I have a 2002 fixed pitch MXT-7 180 HP.

Gravel if compacted will be faster than grass.

Downside to gravel and a Maule is holes in the bottom and tailfeathers due to gravel being kicked up. I've had to make several time consuming repairs and avoid gravel when practical at this point.

This may be less of a problem with a taildragger. Mine is a nosegear model.

BTW are you in the foothills? I'm from Columbia Airport, O22. God's Country.

[Jimbabwe]

I've edited the thread title and my first post for clarity!

Yes, foothills... Fiddletown. Such a nice place to live!

[crbnunit]

You can punch holes in the fabric on gravel and rocks but those are easy to fix. Of more concern is your prop. On a hot day on that strip you are going to want full thrust pretty quick and your prop can pick up rocks. Prop dings suck.

I have seen people do amazing things in a Cessna 180. That said, you just don't see them often on the short, backcountry strips. The C-180 or a Maule with a 235hp engine should do well for you but there are probably going to be days you want to leave before it gets hot.

[gbarrier]

You'll need this:

http://www.mcfarlaneaviation.com/Produc ... ber=CS1002&

It's just .014 clear 3M tape but you get the STC and its just a logbook entry.

[Jimbabwe]

Thanks, y'all. I'm pretty sure I'll be getting a Maule. Being 5'6" I think it would fit me better than a Cessna 180.

I can always pave my strip. 800'x20' shouldn't cost TOO much!

[captnkirk]

The Cessna 180 is great and can do the job I'm sure. The better choice among the Maule's would be the later models with the bigger engines would be my recommendation. I considered the 180 but choose the Maule . One of the big factors was that you get a lot more airplane for your dollar in a Maule vs a Cessna. Upkeep and parts cost can be significantly different also. Try and find a couple of examples and get some time in each. Good luck

[TomD]

This is good reading.

http://www.mountaincanyonflying.com/DA%20Workbook.pdf

You can look at the POH of the 180hp birds and figure the HP and load factor at various DA's and make your decision from there.

A 800 ft strip at 5000 DA could be a challenge. Let's say your engine is actually producing 180 HP at sea level on a standard day. At 5000 ft DA you now have roughly a 150 hp engine with a less efficient propeller and wing.

TD

[Jimbabwe]

Excellent, TomD. Thanks.

[Mountain Doctor]

Thanks, y'all. I'm pretty sure I'll be getting a Maule. Being 5'6" I think it would fit me better than a Cessna 180.

I can always pave my strip. 800'x20' shouldn't cost TOO much!

Just pave the first half. Oil and rolled nice too.

[Mountain Doctor]

This is good reading.

http://www.mountaincanyonflying.com/DA%20Workbook.pdf

You can look at the POH of the 180hp birds and figure the HP and load factor at various DA's and make your decision from there.

A 800 ft strip at 5000 DA could be a challenge. Let's say your engine is actually producing 180 HP at sea level on a standard day. At 5000 ft DA you now have roughly a 150 hp engine with a less efficient propeller and wing.

TD

My POH is a POS.

No performance data.

I have adopted the data from a 180 HP 172S model. I know the Maule will beat it's performance by a little so gives a safe estimation.

Also I think the Prop-Guard has been taken off the market.

I used one when my plane was new. It did not help much. Also, after it fell apart and I removed it, it took a long time to remove the glue residue.

YMMV

[TomD]

Yeah Doc, the Maule POH is more of a pamphlet.

The best thing is to "calibrate your plane" at your home airport and interpolate from there.

This is a handy tool:
http://www.sportys.com/pilotshop/takeof ... puter.html

Enter the conditions at your airport and %gross of your plane into the calculator and then do several take offs and landings. Mark the aircraft slider and you are good to go most anywhere.

TD

[montana maule]

I use my MX7-160 for training off of 800' grass strips. Field elevation here is 3850'. With correct technique landings are easily done. Two people and full main tanks at a 6500 DA day will use up most of the strip getting off. The same load in my M6-235 is no problem.