Im Not That Good

So I got into one of those internet discussions with other pilots about airplane performance. The focus was on a 2100-foot-long grass strip near sea level and how well a Bonanza would handle it. We didnt disagree on the typical Bonanzas ability to get in or out, but I think some people might be a bit more optimistic about such things than I am.

Joseph E. (Jeb) Burnside

Thursday, May 12, 2016 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Aircraft Pilot's Operating Handbooks (POHs) often lack performance data for grass or soft fields, providing figures only for dry, paved runways.
Paved-runway performance figures are significantly optimistic for grass strips, as conditions like wetness, softness, or high grass degrade actual performance.
Without formal guidance, pilots should conservatively estimate performance, such as doubling published paved runway figures, to account for variable field conditions and average piloting technique.

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So I got into one of those internet discussions with other pilots about airplane performance. The focus was on a 2100-foot-long grass strip near sea level and how well a Bonanza would handle it. We didn’t disagree on the typical Bonanza’s ability to get in or out, but I think some people might be a bit more optimistic about such things than I am.

My home runway is 2500 feet, paved and (poorly) lighted. Even with three large men and near-full fuel aboard my C33A Debonair, I don’t need to use much braking to get down and slow to taxi speed by around 2000 feet. Heavier braking would easily see 1500-foot-long rollouts and, if I’m light, 1000-1250 feet is relatively easy, also, especially with some headwind.