The Cessna 120-140 Association Forum

Well I’ve been flying my 1946 140 for the last year now, exclusively on and off grass. I’d like to venture out onto pavement. Hoping to do this soon but picking perfect conditions to do so. Calm winds! Headed to and airport where it’s about 12,000x200 I belive. Enough room to land across the runway

Any good pointers? The 140 is my only tailwheel time which is 45-50 hrs.


Thank you!

Randy

You could probably do 6 stop and goes with that length.

Do you know a good tail wheel instructor? Wouldn't hurt to have the individual ride with you on the first few landings on pavement (you could work it into a flight review if you're due in a few months).

It would appear that you have some concerns about landing on hard pavement, that's why I mentioned the instructor route. Grass is somewhat forgiving in as such that the tires will slide easily. Pavement on the other hand is not as forgiving since the hard surface will hold the rubber in a more firm manner. For that reason I recommend a ride with the instructor or with an experienced tail wheel pilot who has landed on pavement just to give you some practice and build confidence.

Before you go I would like to recommend that you check your tail wheel. I once used an airplane that was operated off grass for quite some time, but when I took it over to an airport with a paved runway I found out that the tail wheel assembly needed to attention. Shimmy at low speed was very noticeable.

Unfortunately I don’t know many good instructors in the area. Most don’t fly tailwheel and the ones that do haven’t done so in years and only have limited experience. Last year the instructor that signed me off has a family history of bush flying, mostly on floats, some tailwheel but now he’s probably as proficient as I am. We both do the airline thing so no BFRs. My only concern is from what I’ve been reading online. I’m fairly comfortable with the airplane but just don’t know what I’m in for on pavement. I’ve been doing 3 point landings 98% of the time. I’m picking this airport just so I have a ton of room to get the feel before I jump onto a 3000x50 field.

Thanks for the input.

R~

Sent you a PM

If you can land straight and without any side drift on the grass then pavement won't be an issue for you. Just keep in mind that if you're not straight, or you are drifting to one side, things will happen a lot faster in the pavement than they would on the grass.

Oh, and remember, if the runway is that big, just land into the wind, even if it's not exactly down the center line...

Well I went this evening and lived to tell about it. It’s different than grass but very manageable. I think I’d stick to fairly calm conditions on pavement for a while.

I came back on to say just do it! I fly off a dirt strip but go to a paved strip often. The first grass strip I landed on, Cauleys in Washington, was a challange as the grass was tall and slowed me way down. I felt like I was going to nose over. Years ago!

I took off tonight and it was such a beautiful evening that I had to give it a try. Winds were a direct crosswind at 2 gusting to 3 I’m glad I went. Was a good confidence booster. I’d like to start little trips in the 140 and needed to expand the small circle I’ve been flying in for the last year.

Good Deal Randy!

Got your PM.

Practice is all it takes.