40% Flying

[dwhawks]

This is a question for all those flying 40% aerobatic planes. What size field do you normally fly from? Runway dimensions, overfly areas, and proximity to trees and other obstructions off the ends of the runways would be helpful. I'm trying to decide how practical flying a 40% plane is from an average R/C flying site.

Thanks in advance for your input,
Dennis

[excelpoint]

Mate over here in Aus we have a wide variety of fields that we fly IMAC comps at, from wide open paddocks to fields with short runways(80m) and trees alround. Ive found with the 40% planes they acyually need less runway then a lot of highly loaded sport planes. The secret is all in the approach, keep the speed down on your downwind and base legs and you wont have to try and wash off excess speed as you cross over the threshold. Control your decent with the motor and you will get in everytime, even on the tight fields.

[Andy540T]

The field I fly at most of the time has a runway of 450 X 40. We have quite a bit of flyover area. Pretty much unlimited out in front and to the approach side during prevailing winds. I have seen some fields that are pretty limited such as 1500 to 1600 feet in front of you is a mountain and they still fly 40%ers with that limited space.

[flyin woodbutcher]

getting a 40% to the flying site will be more of a challenge. The space needed is not much different than what is needed for a 60 size pattern ship.

[snap a saurus]

I have flown at many fields of all types and sizes, the biggest problem is the approach, as long as you have good open approach you should be fine with a 400 foot runway, as for trees proximity and such, you can always fly high.
Good luck.

[flyin woodbutcher]

Dont listen to SNAP, he only makes harrier landings. And good ones at that.

[snap a saurus]

	Quote: Originally Posted by flyin woodbutcher
	Dont listen to SNAP, he only makes harrier landings. And good ones at that.

Good point, the answer to the question is you can fly at any field or even your backyard, driveway etc.. for landing, simply do a harrier landing, thanks for the idea Kent.

[adrian]

true - bigger flies better - all my big planes land slower than my Dad's old t34 - lol

[Flyfalcons]

Since the speed you'll be flying at most of the time isn't different than a 1/4 scale by very much, the actual flying area doesn't have to be very big. The trick is getting used to the sight picture of a larger airplane when landing and avoiding obstacles in your fly-over area. Even going from a 35% plane to a 40% plane, I had to remind myself to wait just a little longer than I thought before descending below the obstacles that are at either end of the runway that I fly at.

[dwhawks]

Thanks for the replies, I'm thinking about making the jump to 40% and I'm just trying to get some info.

Dennis