Bitz'n'pieces for an Airstrip.

[Guest Bendorn]

I'm building an Airstrip..... Where can I buy markers and all the other things for my strip. Also, the orange balls on power lines....????

 

I'm in Nth West Victoria.

 

Ben

 

 

[Mick]

Hi Ben,

 

Grab a copy of Aviation Trader.

 

There is usually ads for that sort of gear.

 

Good Luck

 

 

[Guest Fred Bear]

Or:

 

http://www.aeroasso.com.au/

 

 

[Admin]

Hi ben

 

Do you want to make up a list and I will see what Clear Prop can do - don't forget windsocks and frames, maybe a base station, markers (can make them yourself very cheaply), power supply company for the balls on the power lines.

 

Hope this helps!

 

 

[old man emu]

I recently read an article which described a simple glideslope apparatus. I'll have a look for the article later this week and may be able to post something over the weekend.

 

Old Man Emu

 

 

[bushpilot]

Hi benDo you want to make up a list and I will see what Clear Prop can do - don't forget windsocks and frames, maybe a base station, markers (can make them yourself very cheaply), power supply company for the balls on the power lines.

Hope this helps!

Hey Ian - Can you provide insight on making markers? They are damn expensive to buy... (From $28 ea, on the website below..)

 

Cheers,

 

Chris

 

 

[Guest Fred Bear]

I used to use tyres painted white. Cheap and costs virtually nothing.

 

 

[Guest Bendorn]

I'm thinking of using 44gal drums cut in half length ways and painted white for my 'gable' runway markers. I've seen them before and they do the job.

 

 

[bushpilot]

I used to use tyres painted white. Cheap and costs virtually nothing.

But for runway markers wouldnt they be a bit solid? I know the pilot shouldnt be out that wide - but if you were....

 

 

[Guest High Plains Drifter]

Ive seen those ten litre plastic buckets painted white used as runway markers - dont know how long they would last tho.

 

White tyres seem to be a commen item around the place.

 

Another idea Ive seen where there is no live stock grazing, is to leave areas unmowen to define the strip.

 

For powerline marking - To aviod getting the power crew involved (lotsa money) some place a high-vis panel on the end of a post that is higher then the power line but a distance from it. Several vis-posts are placed along the run of the powerline (the airfield side of the line) Probably a phone call to the powerline people will get you the min distance from the powerline to post offset.

 

 

[Admin]

I may be wrong, but I would think that you just can't put a ball on a powerline without getting the Power Company to do it - would that make sense?

 

 

[Guest AusDarren]

I may be wrong, but I would think that you just can't put a ball on a powerline without getting the Power Company to do it - would that make sense?

Ian your Absolutely correct.

 

Only the power company is permitted to install the balls.

 

Even Registered Electrical Contractors are not allowed.

 

Serious Penalties are in the Electrical supply Act and regulations.

 

Regards,

 

AusDarren

 

(In my life outside Aviation I hold a Contractors Licence)

 

 

[Guest brentc]

You could paint an old pair of shoes in Flouro paint then throw them up so that they then hang on the power line. Everyone seems to do that around where I live and they seem to stay up there for a fair while if you have good quality laces.

 

 

[Yenn]

If you can get hold of old conveyor belting, paint it white and you will have good edge and threshold markers. We have found tyres need to be held down with concrete filling.

 

 

[Guest The Bushman]

Airstrip markers

 

we use (4 gallion 20 liters Drums ) cut length ways and painted white with a pin through a tag cut in the side of the drum we found that these would crush if hit don,t use tyes as the aircraft we use will turn you over as they have no give as end markers ok

 

The Bushman

 

 

[Guest Fred Bear]

You could paint an old pair of shoes in Flouro paint then throw them up so that they then hang on the power line. Everyone seems to do that around where I live and they seem to stay up there for a fair while if you have good quality laces.

Apparently these are used to mark 'drug houses' Joke mate. Really, I think the runway markers the issue there is to use something that will smash you to bits should you run off the centreline, ie, concrete filled buckets are just no good. Don't know about the huge drums either?

 

 

[Guest ozzie]

As pointed out above tyres can trip up light a/c with small wheels. if you want to use tyres try this. cut from the rim bead across the sidewall and half way across the tread. do this 4 times at 90 180 270 and 360 deg around the tyre. paint it white and bury the tyre half way with the cuts facing up. this way when you hit a tyre it wil not trip or grab the wheel or rip your spat off.

 

Best homemade markers i have seen were old plow discs painted white.

 

Power lines, Errect a length of corrogated iron each side of the runway near the lines visible on approach, paint bright colour and paint "wires" on both.

 

ozzie