Grass Strip Landings with a Pro

A professional pilot reviews short- and soft-field takeoffs and landings at three grass strips, and explains why the experience is important for those flying for airlines.

Sam Weigel

Friday, July 21, 2023 at 11:34 AM ET

Verified

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Key Takeaways:

Airline captain Sam Weigel emphasizes the importance for pilots to gain real-world experience flying from diverse runways like unpaved or short fields, which is often missing in initial training.
Many young pilots lack practical exposure to challenging runway conditions, relying on simulated experiences that don't replicate real-world effects.
Weigel demonstrates the value of honing essential short- and soft-field techniques by practicing on actual grass strips.

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Occasionally getting off the beaten path is an important experience for pilots, according to airline captain Sam Weigel.

“Many young pilots get their private and commercial licenses without ever having flown off of unpaved runways or short ones, or ones that are just short for the density altitude, or ones with obstacles or mountains around,” Weigel said. “Instead, student instructors simulate these conditions on long, paved runways, going through the motions without ever experiencing the effects of real-world conditions.”