Looking into purchasing an Aztec between late this year and early next year, what is it like on Gravel Strips? My mission is in and out of a 2000 footer with no obstacles nice gravel, would not be going to Max Gross normally (twice a year MAYBE), the Aztec I have flown can leap off pavement in 900 feet and I can land it in 1200, but the owners of those don't want their paint jobs getting beat up on gravel, so no such luck even trying... hence anyone have any experience with these planes on Gravel?
Patrick Wrote:
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> My mission is in and out of a 2000
> footer with no obstacles nice gravel, would not be
> going to Max Gross normally (twice a year MAYBE),
> the Aztec I have flown can leap off pavement in
> 900 feet and I can land it in 1200, but the owners
> of those don't want their paint jobs getting beat
> up on gravel, so no such luck even trying... hence
> anyone have any experience with these planes on
> Gravel?
Don't know about the possible paint job damage but numerous maximum performance takeoffs (900 feet) on "nice gravel" will definitely keep the prop shop busy.
I'm aware of that, which brings up my question of whether the Aztec can get off Gravel on a de-rated takeoff, and what power is needed, I'm thinking something like 22 or 23 MAP, but what type of performance does that equate to on gravel.
Ugh!! Out of a 2000 ft gravel runway in an Aztek, using a reduced power takeoff?
If the plane can do it, there's not going to be much margin for error! Of course I'm a suck who doesn't like to go into anything less than 3000 ft, paved and 75 ft wide.
It will do it without a problem, apply power slowly, once above about 15mph add full power. You should use flaps for takeoff, turn the control wheel all the way to the right, then lower the flap to match the angle of the aileron. That is a good flap setting for short runways
Did not know the Aztec was such a performer. People who fly like this amaze me. I know a guy who fairly routinely flies a Navajo into a 2200 ft runway.
Correct, actually I'm one of the poeple who routinley take a Navajo into 2200 foot strips... what I want to find out is whether or not an Aztec can do it as well, my decision is between a C55 Baron and a B or C Model Aztec, I've taken a C55 in and out, but haven't found anyone who has taken the Aztec and noone will let me try theirs (even when I tempt them with money and steak), the math works, but I'd like to know someons has actually done it before I end up in a fence.
Sorry, there is no steak big enough to allow you to be a test pilot in my Aztec on a short gravel field attempting a 60% power takeoff possibly with flaps extended.
Out of curiosity, where do you intend the other engine to take you should you experience an engine failure at that low of a power setting with or without flaps extended and more than likely below VMC?
It's not rocket science why you have no takers with your offer.
I'm faily confident the other engine will take me just fine considering there are no obstacles (excluding a 6 foot fence 300 feet from the end of the runway. 85% of the time there will be just me and one other person in the airplane. I know Aztecs aren't the most glamorous and magnificent performers, but I've never been unable to climb at the weights we're dealing with here.
And if that's not good enough... I'll borrow a quote from one of my friends to a visiting pilot friend "We do things differently in Alaska".
Furthermore.. . The C55 owner didn't have a problem with it, as he'd done it before himself, just the 2 guys I know who have Aztecs have never gone into gravel and I can fully understand why they don't want to find out, it's not my plane and I'm not going to force them to do what they don't want done with it. Which brought my question here... to see if anyone has taken an Aztec in and out of gravel strips. Navajos do it routinley for Hageland and other companies out here, Aztec just aren't part of the game, and like I said before, I'd like some info on it before I try it.
Don't use flaps. They produce a nose down pitching moment that will reduce prop clearance. Put more air in the struts to raise the plane 1 inch higher than the standard setting. Make sure the plane is fairly level when you're done. Too may Aztecs have underinflated mains that lower the tail too far, and increase the take-off drag.
Add power slowly to reach 25 kts, then go to full power. That will reduce prop generated vortices that pull loose material off the runway and send it through the prop. Above 25 kts this isn't a problem.
Practice on an 1800-2500 foot paved strip first and you'll find that it's easy and the Aztec has the perfect wing for short and rough fields. 1500 feet is more than enough if you have no obstructions. With 50-75 foot trees, 2000 feet is needed in case you lose an engine on takeoff.
This is exactly why I could never be a bush pilot. I've had the privelege of flying with a few BPs, and I have to say that I've been both amazed and scared !@#$less.
How on earth that they consistently manage to get these 40 year old single engine floatplanes, hopelessly overloaded and with piles of stuff strapped to the pontoons, out of these puny lakes in the middle absolute nowhere, clearing imposing looking pine trees by inches, all without breaking into a sweat is way way beyond me.
Hats off to you guys. Bush pilots are way way more impressive than any 747 pilots.
