What comes after a DA40? (the reply)

[Kai]

After selling my DA40, I knew I would have to downsize just in order to be able to land my plane on this very small airstrip I built in front of my new house (220 metres or 720 ft). The idea of taking off from my own house was just too tempting, so in the recent months I spent time filling up the airstrip and pondering about which plane (or gyrocopter) would be able to land there. All gyrocopters I have test flown seemed not to be able to take off as short as the manufacturers advertised, so I tried with STOL planes. I was finally quite impressed with the Aeroprakt A22L and here is a first landing with the importer's demonstrator last weekend.

[Aart]

Great stuff Kai!
I just got my UL license and did my 'training' in the 22L as well. It's very refreshing to be closer to the roots of aviation again, and for me a nice balance with the 42. Congrats on your airport, you need to tell me more some day. May I name it KAI-TAK2 or is the approach simpler?

[Aart]

So please come over to Benissalem, Mallorca, soon and we can catch up.
We can only offer you a boring 300 m runway though, sorry about that..

[Kai]

Hey Aart! The Aeroprakt won't be delivered until end of this year, but it will come with an autopilot, the brandnew Rotax iS which consumes 30% less and a range to visit you in Mallorca twice a day on the same tanks. Whenever you are bored, pass by at my airfield and practice your short landing skills! Will send you the coordinates per Whatsapp or email. The airstrip has a CAT IIIc approach, of course.

And like you I am so looking forward to be flying more under the radar again.

[Steve]

Pretty close to those trees at the approach end...

Steve

[Aart]

Indeed, and note how he -once clear of them- skilfully puts some slip in to drop down.
Kai, maybe you need to make a little upward pointing ramp at the other end so that you launch yourself clear of those trees that are over there as well. Look up 'Ark Royal' for some dimensions

[Aart]

I may have expressed myself wrongly.
I still need all the runway i need and just thought that you would find 300 m boring
Just out of interest, a gyrocopter needing so much runway for take off?
I flew one recently, an ELA, 2 heavy men, full fuel and we needed less than 100 m IIRC

[Antoine]

Very nice strip project. Scary landing, you really need a little bit more safety margin.
And how about a Carbon Cub Kai?

Fully agree on the "back to basics" flying fun!

[Kai]

Pretty close to those trees at the approach end...

Steve

So true. But with a better entry and lower and slower approach, I will have 300 ft more. The take off was a lot better.

Very nice strip project. Scary landing, you really need a little bit more safety margin.
And how about a Carbon Cub Kai?

Fully agree on the "back to basics" flying fun!

Safety is for sissies, hahhaaa. I think a carbon cub will not give me a shorter take off roll than the Aeroprakt but it will be three times the price.

Indeed, and note how he -once clear of them- skilfully puts some slip in to drop down.
Kai, maybe you need to make a little upward pointing ramp at the other end so that you launch yourself clear of those trees that are over there as well. Look up 'Ark Royal' for some dimensions

I googled for Aart Royal and received impressive results. Cleared the trees without any problems on take off although it did look scary:

[Kai]

Oh Aart... I forgot to mention: on the gyrocopters, you have probably flown the ELA 07 but I tried just models with a closed cabin. They have a considerably longer take off roll. I have tested the ELA07, Niki Aviation Lightning and Calidus as well as Cavalon. They would not take off in 200 metres.