Grass fields...

[MackAttack]

Hangars are hard to come by here in Houston ... Have a lead on a hangar at a private airport with three grass runways (good news from a cross wind perspective). Added bonus is an on-field certified Rotax and A&P guy. 100LL, no mogas unfortunately. It's a big enough hangar to share and the cost is reasonable especially if I find someone to share it with. Or buy a second plane ... *no stop that thought* No lights, day use only. I'm going to see that man about this horse tomorrow.

What's the low down on basing an LSA at a grass field? About 15-20 aircraft are based there now, mostly LSAs and a few aerobatics. A couple Bonanzas and 1-2 ultralights. It's 45 minutes from my house, out from under Bravo shelf.

My concerns are maintenance (how do I tell if it is well maintained?), impact on aircraft maintenance (will I be cleaning out grass from my wheel pants all the time?), other MX impacts? In many ways it's a great spot (a little far but not too bad) for recreational, day VFR flying. They make some airplanes there - many taildraggers out there too and the owner is a CFI who teaches the endorsement.

My inclination is to jump on it and rent the hangar now ... Fill it with my plane when I get it and sublease it in the meantime. But I don't want to set myself up with a big problem for my shiny new Tecnam or Bristell. I know the airplanes can handle it (Tecnam's home field is grass and the Bristells fly in grass all the time in Europe).

Anything I am missing?

Thanks!!

[norgate3]

Mack,

I've been hangared at both types of fields.
If the grass is always trimmed and the turf in good condition I wouldn't hesitate going there.

Pros:
More forgiving when dry.
Easier on the tires.
Usually cheaper to hangar than paved runway airports.

Cons:
Slippery when wet compared to paved.
You'll be cleaning much more bugs off your prop and airframe.
If you choose the Bristell , undersides of wings need more cleaning.
Wheel pants need to be cleaned more frequently.
Tecam and Bristell have small tires, 5 or 6 inch, so there will be more wear and tare on the airframe and landing gear unless the field is really well manicured.
Air cleaners need more care.

I may have omitted a few things but those are some of the things to think about.

Rich

[Merlinspop]

If a Carbon Cub, Sport Cub, or Legend Cub meets your mission profile, you'll have a match made in heaven.

Give Bruce a call if interested. https://www.facebook.com/Flyin-Tiger-Fl ... 299514622/

Whoops.... Meant to add that many LSA-esque planes are based on grass in Europe.

[MackAttack]

Thanks for the replies so far. I'm a low wing guy, so I am going with the Tecnam Astore rather than the 2008 assuming I go Tecnam, so the wing cleaning note is going to apply to both. And that answers the Cub question too ... although Bristell does make a tail dragger!!

Bugs. Of course - makes sense.

Air cleaners - good to know.

Hard to assess airframe wear and tear ... would appreciate further thoughts there.

I expect t/o rolls to be longer especially when wet, and landing rolls to be shorter in the same conditions. I will have a chance to inspect the field tomorrow I would expect, hard to say what to look for though.

Keep those cards and letters coming, folks!

Cheers!

[Merlinspop]

Thanks for the replies so far. I'm a low wing guy...

Me too, except when the third wheel is out back. Then I like both. Bristel does offer a TW option, too.

[SportPilot]

.......

[MrMorden]

I wouldn't get hung up on low wing vs high wing. Find the best plane for your mission regardless of where the wings are attached. I've never really had a preference for low wing or high wing as long as it has wings somewhere. My two favorite LSA's are SkyCatcher and RV12.

Agreed. Sometimes it makes an airplane more suitable to a purpose, like bush flying, but generally who cares? All airplanes are cool. It's what they do.

[MackAttack]

Just sent in my lease and check today for the 40x40' hangar at this field ... it's month-to-month so not a huge commitment. 1XA7 (Gloster Aerodrome) in case anyone is interested in looking it up ... www.glosteraerodrome.com. Pretty cool little spot. 40 minute drive (which for Houston is not out of the ordinary, although I do drive past at least 2 other airports to get to it). $375/month. Will fit two LSAs ... in case anybody wants to share!

Thanks for the feedback folks! I will let you know my experience. Now, if I can just find a plane to put in it ... *laughing*

Cheers!

[Cluemeister]

That place looks awesome!!! You are very lucky to find a place like that. I'm a little jealous.

On an additional note, I see they have lots for sale. Maybe you should build a house there?

[MackAttack]

Thanks Clue - it is definitely a unique place! No lot for me. I'm a city guy and like my house a lot. Don't mind getting away to the country but no interest in living there. But no objection if you and your wife want to put down a deposit!! 21 lots. Really nice little spot but definitely in the country ...

[Merlinspop]

So while checking your new "home field" on vfrmap.com (love this site), I noticed Houston Executive nearby. Towered airfield (blue runway and CT freq on the chart) without charted class D airspace. I can't recall seeing this before. Interesting.

[MackAttack]

I recently got a Cirrus demo out of Houston Executive; great airport actually. Amazing FBO with a huge, covered arrival/fueling area. The tower is a recent addition and it is "provisional" Class D, whatever that actually means. There is a rule making pending to make it a full Class D. It's a little weird because they have carved out the NW corner of the Class D circle for a grass field called Sport Flyers (it will look like a "broken" ceiling symbol when done, piece of pie missing!) The main issue with the proposed Class D is that the south portion intrudes into the existing VFR transit corridor through the Houston Bravo ... So a lot of VFR pilots in Houston have commented to limit the Class D ceiling so that we have at least a 500' vertical corridor remaining. Going to be interesting depending on what the FAA does.

That's actually the closest airport with a METAR to my grass field; Eagle Lake is to the SW but a little farther away.

Sorry - that's more than you probably wanted to know, but it's worth monitoring if you ever plan to fly VFR in or near Houston.

[Merlinspop]

Sorry - that's more than you probably wanted to know.....

No such thing when it comes to GA! Thanks for the the scoop!