Looking to build a grass runway next spring....any advice?

[leeinmemphis]

Hey everyone,

I am starting to get back into flying remote control helicopters and planes. Next spring I'ld like to get a small runway strip leveled as smooth as possible. Don't get me wrong the area is already pretty much level but I need something pretty smooth to help me make sure that I don't tear up the plane. I've got several implements for my tractor including 8' 3pt disc, 7' box blade with hyd scarfiers, 7' landscape rake, ccm tiller. I'ld like to somehow break up the ground a little and then drag/level it out a little and then plant some sort of a plush grass seed to make a soft area to touch down. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Reg]

I would guess that you would want all the whoop-de-doos out.
Re-read all the threads on grading, box scrapers and rear blades with gauge wheels, road graders, etc. I don't know much about scale anyway, or what scale you will be building to, but at some point blades of grass might correspond to 3 inch saplings. The height you mow to probably has to be considered too, otherwise the planes are landing into what corresponds to waist high scrub brush.

 

[Birdhunter1]

You're best bet will be to do most of the work with your box blade only, if you get the dirt tilled to fluffy and too deep it will be lumpy and will be more likely to settle unevenly. I would disc it to break it up and let it sit for a while then set your boxblade at grade and get it smoothed off best as posible then use some kind of roller (or yor tractor tires) to pack it down smooth and even.

 

[flusher]

Hey everyone,

I am starting to get back into flying remote control helicopters and planes. Next spring I'ld like to get a small runway strip leveled as smooth as possible. Don't get me wrong the area is already pretty much level but I need something pretty smooth to help me make sure that I don't tear up the plane. I've got several implements for my tractor including 8' 3pt disc, 7' box blade with hyd scarfiers, 7' landscape rake, ccm tiller. I'ld like to somehow break up the ground a little and then drag/level it out a little and then plant some sort of a plush grass seed to make a soft area to touch down. Any advice would be appreciated.

I'm planning to build a small strip about 100 ft long on my 10-acre spread. I'll use my 4-ft wide box blade and Kubota B7510HST tractor to excavate a strip about 6" deep. Then backfill with roadbase gravel in 2" thick lifts. Water the gravel and compact with my water-filled roller and repeat.

My driveway was installed using that method and it's showing no wear after 2-1/2 years of traffic.

 

[riptides]

I fly remotes. Your best best is to pave it. Helos are another story.

Don't ask me about moles on the runway.

-Mike Z.

 

[Egon]

Use your rototiller and make a beam drag that can be angled. Till and drag till its nice and smooth and repeat two or more times just to be sure.

Look into putting green grass planted on the strip. [I think they use bent grasses??]

And do post pictures of the planes!

 

[tommu56]

leeinmemphis
Check with the AMA they have a whole groupe that work on flying sights.
The main thing we do at our field is roll it with a viberatory roller when it is wet and keep it cut short.

tom

 

[schmism]

id stay away from the heavy till/dirt moving and stick to drag type.

drag harrow, chainlink, log etc. You really want smooth more than anything.

 

[riptides]

id stay away from the heavy till/dirt moving and stick to drag type.

drag harrow, chainlink, log etc. You really want smooth more than anything.

Depending on ones flying skills, soft may be more important than smooth. I opted for a gradual transition on my landing zones.
About ten planes worth.

-Mike Z.

 

[wushaw]

Using your tiller set at it's lowest tilling depth will just hit the high stuff and scruff up the ground very little, then just pull your drag to get smoother.