TECHNIQUE
DO’S AND DON’TS OF STRIP FLYING
I used to base my private flying at a large airport for nigh on 17 years, but am now an avid strip flyer with some five years’ experience. I wouldn’t dream of landing on anyone’s private property (read farm strip) without asking permission and getting a briefing of sorts unless it was an emergency. If I was to help myself and simply turn up unannounced, the word trespass springs to mind and, let’s face it, that could get you shot in some parts the world. Look at it another way: many homeowners don’t take kindly to drivers turning in their driveways, so how do you think strip owners would feel if you turned up unannounced? I’ve seen a pilot display their ‘airmanship’ by landing at the strip I use, do quick 180 and depart again making a racket over a local conurbation that we, as good neighbours, avoid.
Quite apart from consideration, there
are many other factors to bear in mind when flying into strips.
• What will be its conditions on the day? • Do any footpaths cross it? – It might come as a surprise, but ramblers would have the right of way.
• What local residences/villages/areas should not be overflown.
• Do pilots from the strip use safetycom? • What is the strip’s elevation (what altimeter sub-scale are you using)?
• Have any crops been planted? • Is there any livestock likely to graze on the strip?
• What hazards exist – especially in terms of obstacles/cables etc on the approach or climb out?
• What are the surface conditions generally like? If it’s undulating an area
might, for example, launch you if you mistakenly land on it.
• Are there any fences, electric or otherwise, to contain farm animals? Temporary fencing might be used at times to segregate part of the strip for livestock - how close could you get to landing into a low sun before spotting it?
• How would your insurers react to a claim if anything untoward happened and you had not spoken to the owner.
It’s not that hard to find contact numbers for many of the strips and, surprisingly, many are all to pleased to say “yes, do come and visit, just let me have some details”. So please do the right thing.
Thanks to HuskyPilot
SUMMER 2019 CLUED UP 23
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