Shortest regularly used runway in the world? Quite possibly the farm grass strip of the Super701!

Many people have asked about the home grass strip that is used by the Super701, especially after the recent video showing the near disaster "Sketchy landing in a storm":
• Almost destroyed the S...
In this video, you can ride along as I show you what the short/narrow strip on Humberd Farm looks and feels like. We get a couple of bird's eye views and also do a couple of takeoffs and landings.
There was a recent challenge by a fellow youtuber to show off our runways that are in use and less than 350ft.
The grass strip that is the home of Super701 has a very narrow taxiway through an old-growth forest that leads downhill to the 310ft long x less than 30ft wide grass runway. Watch your wingtips! The runway is smoothed off from a cattle pasture. It is one-way, with no chance of a go-around once on short final approach. It also has an uphill grade with many trees and obstacles all around, including trees, stumps, cattle, fences, tall grass, wildlife, etc.
These specs should qualify the Humberd field airstrip as one of the shortest, most fun, and also one of most dangerous around.
I'm pretty confident that this is one of the coolest short landing strips that is used regularly in the U.S. and maybe even the world.
You all may recognize the runway and airplane from previous videos by Bryan Walstrom of the Experimental Aircraft Channel: / experimentalaircraftch...
in his two part video series featuring the Super701.
Part 1: • The Super 701 - Jon's ...
Part 2: • Jon Humberd’s Super 701
It has also been featured with the AOPA. More of that great footage can be seen here:
• Jon Humberd’s Super 701
Check out the Super701 facebook page to stay up to date with current videos, flying, and airplane builds!
Super701
Follow along with the STOL Bandits to see the group of awesome pilot buddies and their adventures!
groups/STOLBandits
As always, thanks for watching and don't forget to hit that subscribe button!

[@donp1088]

On the one hand, you’re very daring. On the other,…I can’t say. I just hope God gives you grace.

[@tomarmstrong1281]

As an instructor, examiner, private, commercial, singles, multi, twenty thousand hours plus, I always like to know where my 'get outs' are in an emergency situation. I see great handling skills but nothing much in the way of escape routes, for engine failure, unexpected cross wind or tail wind.

[@milesbrown8016]

That’s what I thought aswell.

[@RosaStringWorks]

Just a couple hours work would really improve the runway. No "old bold" pilots.

[@cayrick]

An engine failure on takeoff or a flat tire on landing and you could be in a world of trouble. I would do some more work on that flying field. You are an amazing pilot

[@manwhocan9822]

Yes and clean that windshield too!

[@charlesharris7947]

​@@manwhocan982210:15 10:1

[@Makelifehappennow]

He is a good pilot but the airplane is also well suited to that kind of a script. So the two go hand in hand.

[@Bob_Barney]

Engine failures on takeoff are bad no matter how long the runway is. The same is true when you are on final. I would not drag it in as he says he does, and would do a steeper (power minimum) approach that would still let me make the runway if there was an engine failure. I LIKE that he leaves the grass long at the end. If he does have an engine failure taking off, that long grass will help slow the plane down. One of my instructors broke a crankshaft on takeoff (750' altitude above runway) on take off, and picked a cornfield for his emergency landing. The corn was tall. He described flaring into it and the corn rushing by the side windows, but the plane (C172) sure came to a quick stop. I also like his flaring over the long grass on landing. Once you are in ground effect you have to bun off airspeed over the ground and that's fine over that long grass. I would be curious if he has (unintentionally) put his mains down into the long grass and what the impact was.

[@Renato.Stiefenhofer.747driver]

... there's my taxiway going through the trees... His approach... going around the big oak tree... and sometimes there are cows in the approach... and my fence... Awesome. A little long landing, because of the cameras. Well, definitely not my lingo in the 74... Thank's for the video.

[@foesfly3047]

Jon my excellent brother, you have pilot skills FAR beyond what I will ever have! The rain storm landing blew me away-- Then the night landing 😲😲😲😲😲😲😲

[@PaulThomas-qo9vy]

Super fun! That was my dream to own & fly a CH750 STOL. Health problems made me give it up. I should have pursued my dreams much earlier in life. Fly as long as you can. Blessings

[@wilfor03]

WOW!!! Nice job, Pilot....you make it look so simple....keep it up...

[@ar15gator]

Man , what a great slice of heaven you have going on 👏🏻💯 in the beginning of your video as you were taking off, and I was watching the angle of attack on takeoff I was like OMG, my *Flight Instructor would’ve had a stroke, pretty cool deal you got going on there buddy. Quite the accomplishment, built your own plane, have your own taxiway, and your own private runway, doesn’t get much better than that.

[@paulg.yarger8797]

Thank You Jon for the Ride around the Ranch! Cool Video!!!

[@maldagg1104]

great vid...great flying Bud...livin' the dream

[@rusty2075]

that was cool! looks like his driveway is big enough to land on.

[@masterblaster6434]

Great shots and magic flying.

[@richhervig540]

Amazing, well done sir. You are living the dream....

[@MitchellPetersonJr]

Glad I found this video. My "runway" in my back yard is gonna sit right at 350', but I won't have that clear approach you have.

[@pixamite1]

Just stumbled upon your channel. That's one heck of a ride! I was surprised when you being in Cleveland TN was mentioned. I'm just down the road on Varnell GA. I'll be checking out more of your content.

[@nickaxe771]

Looks a whole lot of fun Sir.

[@markhuston9250]

Fantastic photography!

[@captainkipper8357]

Good stuff my friend; please watch for over confidence, safe flying

[@TheFirePilot]

"What happens if we don't make the fence? We tear down the fence......" hahahhaha love it!

[@drummerian1960]

Wow man great video but that second to last clip was scary intense! Be careful!

[@Ryanralston07]

I love that your driveway is longer than your runway and taxi strip combined lol

[@MrVicDog]

Very cool, Thanks for sharing!

[@urbanairgunner6402]

The 701was buit for 90foot roll outs with the 100 hp Rotax. I think that's what I read somewhere. My neighbor built one with the 2 cylinder vw engine. This is my favorite bush plane. Great video!

[@yamkaw346]

Are you sure you’ve got the engine right? The 2cyl vw has like 30 hp and wouldn’t do well in the 701

[@urbanairgunner6402]

@@yamkaw346 that's exactly what I thought when he told me this ham and his brother are machinists and they build race car engines so I didn't think anything else of it because the stock VW engine 65 horse I've seen other planes with that same design on there he told me he had planned on using half of VW engine unfortunately I think he's passed away now I haven't talked to him in several years.

[@jeffnew1]

That is absolutely awesome. I would take out a few trees just because you can good for you kudos I wish I had something like that set up for for me. I fly RC and I complain about my runway not no more you’re a very good pilot.

[@iamtobyrice]

Y’all having way too much fun.

[@clarencehopkins7832]

Excellent stuff bro

[@gyrojeffro2263]

I fly from a 1500ft strip surrounded on all sides by trees and people think I'm crazy! Its pretty flat land around here but once you get around Appalachia towards boone nc, you have learn mountain flying skills! great video brotha!

[@Bob_Barney]

Depends on the airplane. What are you flying?

[@bilbotbaggins1536]

Beautiful place there mate

[@apisdude]

these are really amazing aircraft

[@hanksbud2544]

Outstanding thank you.

[@valveman12]

That outside camera view is amazing.

[@vicbanks9079]

If you're not uncomfortable telling a trade secret, what kind of gear set-up is that off wing camera? Night landing beyond threading a needle. Phew.

[@christophergoggin5524]

Why make things harder than it needs to be, one day those trees will win. my opinion

[@onddu2254]

That runway is easily long enough for a STOL aircraft, with a fun approach and lot of fields around where you can land. And he seems like a fairly experienced pilot so i don't see why it wouldn't be worth it to take those little risks to have a runway at your house. If i'd have a plant of land like this i'd make it work with a cessna 150, even if it includes some risks, but the rewards would be well worth it.

[@yamkaw346]

@@onddu2254Looks like he’s got plenty of land for a much larger runway that would be inherently safer. Looks like fun though

[@NotchFox]

This is exactly what the Zenith was designed for. Could something go wrong....sure. Flying is an unnatural act. It is always possible for something to go wrong with any plane, on any length strip.

[@thefreedomguyuk]

With decent wind and this type aircraft, one really does not need more. Having said that, there's always one tree which eventually will win. 😅

[@acblaze3116]

Normally I’d agree. But he even said he almost never needs the whole runway. I hope he meant that though and didn’t say it out of arrogance.

[@NicosProjects]

Wohooo, that’s awesome man 😎 👏

[@peterdisley5327]

Excellent strip and flying skill. What engine/hp do you have in your plane. Thanks Peter

[@ThomasGrillo]

Amazing!

[@MrFirebird4004bbl]

That storm footage was pretty wild

[@tomelliott6352]

I'm a total novice here but it looks to me as if your betting your life on the engine not coughing or missing a beat in any way. One fart and your toast. Am I wrong ???

[@chetmyers7041]

Ever heard the saying, "The arrogance of youth." ? I hope Jon has funded a good life insurance policy to take care of his wife and kids.

[@RosssRoyce]

Wow amazing! You have a shorter take off roll than a gyrocopter!

[@jerseyshorescannernews]

nice challenge

[@tonywright8294]

Excellent

[@RoyceMunday56]

Impressive!

[@davidadams9759]

Man that night landing is something else. Balls of steel I'd say. Nice setup

[@johnhines8450]

Dude you’re Superman. My hero living my life. Great stuff. I assume you have road access. and what do you do for a living up their?

[@normannutbar424]

Great flying. You’re very confident in that machine! CAA seen this, and been in touch yet? 🤣

[@chetmyers7041]

No one has been jailed for suicide in USA.

[@coelhocointech9841]

You’re a heck of a pilot

[@Renato.Stiefenhofer.747driver]

... there's my taxiway going through the trees... His approach... going around the big oak tree... and sometimes there are cows in the approach... and my fence... Awesome. A little long landing, because of the cameras. Well, definitely not my lingo in the 74... Thank's for the video.

[@mc...square6510]

I’d mow to the road and level the ground up to it just to be safe, also with regards to the road I say that as I haven’t seen very much traffic assuming u live In the country,,,, nice flying

[@bubbapate5740]

You are a braver man than me Gunga Din.

[@cmorganwpi]

Wow, how did you see anything on that night landing, or was there more light than the camera was picking up?

[@mikedunn7795]

There are old pilots,and there are bold pilots,but there are no old,bold pilots.

[@BradyDearinger]

I was thinking to myself, this dude better know who Greg Miller is. Hahaha

[@robstanton9215]

Greg is definitely no nonsense and dang good at everything he does! Including being one of the best low key bush pilots around.

[@timandrew1091]

Nice flying... I'm on 4000' grass. What engine do you have?

[@jamesjohnson8661]

I like dudes like you who look homeless and dirty but are rich. Pretty cool

[@ingcampthree4523]

First guy that I have ever heard brag about how short his is...

[@flightnavigator8999]

😂

[@stone8597]

To me what is also important is how the approaches look. If there were no trees, it would be a lot friendlier.

[@joeglennaz]

How did you get those camera shots showing the front of the plane? Great video!! IT looks like you are climbing out at a 45-degree angle..

[@buzzz241]

Try searching for GoPro 360. Here’s example kzbin.info/www/bejne/kIOuYpqwnapqgbc

[@tim75052]

Are you going to be able to get your 750 in and out without having to take some trees down?

[@kurt3929]

How are you mounting your 360 camera under the wing? Thank you in advance

[@floppygdog]

-Not gonna tell you how to fly but ya didn’t have the wipers on at 13:00.-pitch black foggy was a hell no for me, nicely done-As for the strip, I’d cut up and over your drive and use that intersection as your touch down point, then with your plane you might have room for a go around if ever needed.

[@daveward1484]

Just wondering if you've ever had any flight instruction.

[@nickhart5332]

Yeah Greg’s is way more sketch! For sure. Nice plane and spot though for sure!

[@gyrojeffro2263]

"jumps in helicopter" not that I have a helicopter! hold my beer! lol

[@AeroworksProductions]

I’d say Jon for the Win! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🤜🏻

[@sebdewhurst7276]

Can’t compete with that! My airstrip is 600ft but no gradient and we are in Fla which means high density altitudes in the summer. BTW how do you get the awesome shots from the front quarter of the plane?

[@GulfCoastTim]

Looks like you have the room to extend that tiny runway?

[@carlosj.morales8430]

How are the outside camera shots made??? It's like a drone flying next to the plane always keeping the same distance! how is this possible??

[@Jbmc65]

I thought he was just living on the edge until the end, that’s not the edge, that’s nuts.

[@joshuagranger2416]

Wooooow you are a crazy good pilot! Dang though dude cut some of those trees so they don't screw you some day.

[@carrollmcpherson4530]

man do i want to fly in with you!

[@portnuefflyer]

I've had two different one way strips for the last 30 years, both 400' long. BUT....the first one was at 6150' ASL, my current one at 5640'. It is one way, but has clear approaches, and the 14 degree upslope helps a lot. You'd feel right at home on mine, stop by if in Idaho! kzbin.info/www/bejne/mKjTh4p6oJenrsU Also, I got to meet the guy with the LONGEST private strip in the country a few years ago, the late Joe Clark. We got to bragging to each other about our strips, it was great fun.

[@DewayneGore]

[@1Thatstrangeguy]

Wow, my rc airplane club maintains a 550' runway and Iv seen a lot of people overshoot it and end up in the tall grass, Or fail to get in the air all together.

[@Bob_Barney]

It's much easier to do if you have an airspeed indicator and you are looking through the window at the controls.

[@iamthemoss]

Very cool setup, my property would suffice if I cut down a bunch of trees.

[@abstractbybrian]

Does your field have an ICAO code? I’m a flight simulation enthusiast.

[@s1988teve]

Is that Dale Jr. flying?

[@mauleguy]

Looks easy compared to mine.

[@hahocrf50]

He don’t have trees and power lines

[@adamgrenda2695]

Plus it’s nose wheel which is cool for mowed grass runways.

[@flightnavigator8999]

You can put rain X on the windshield and water will bead up and slide off as if wasn’t raining

[@robw4ltz408]

Yeap

[@WhatDadIsUpTo]

How do you record your forward flight from in front of your plane?

[@Captain_Bri]

Gives me some hope that I could land on my little farm. I'm just under 6.000 asl with about a 800 x 75 foot area where apple trees were taken out. A power line near the east end is the worst thing I think. It's uphill going east. Now to get a STOL :)

[@chester8420]

Have the power company go underground with that section. A powerline at the end of a runway is stupid.

[@Captain_Bri]

@@chester8420 Yep, It's an accident just waiting to happen.

[@Bob_Barney]

Have you at least had the big red balls put on the lines?

[@westcoastshooter5657]

Gower field in Olympia Washington Is one way About 45 ‘ wide trees on both sides 50’ then uphill to turn around no runway at top immediately downhill

[@riverrat4631]

Stupid question… How are you going to get that Super Duty in and out of that strip?? No way it will take off and land like a 701. But if anyone can, it will be you.. Great Video Jon

[@dougstenger4085]

I watch you guys religiously, but I'm always worried that you're going to be a statistic pushing weather and night flights into your short strips. Hopefully it doesn't encourage less capable pilots to attempt the same. Very exciting videos though.

[@Bob_Barney]

I think most pilots, no matter how long the runway, need to practice short field landing and takeoffs ALL the time.

[@tinof5829]

You have the "biggest" brass ones my friend!!

[@Ptuned]

How are you getting that footage from the outside ?

[@pigeon4208]

What massive engine did you fit in this thing to climb out at that angle? That's insane

[@gliderfs621]

Considering it’s a Ch701, i think it is a gentle 912 cutty. 😁

[@TNFlyingFarmer]

ULPower 350iS 130hp

[@farshidzamani9301]

Very nice but I think you need a landing light at least for landing during night times.

[@wmffmw1854]

How about an Everglades crop duster strip. Back in 1971, I could get in and out of 300ft strip with three foot wing tip clearance flying a Cessna 152 clearing 50 ft object. All a matter of technique.

[@nhsilversleuth6029]

Do you use a windsock?

[@mikebarrager8293]

Have you ever considered a wind sock?

[@cageordie]

This is a record that sensible people don't want. It's like having the most dangerous pet. How long until the tiger eats you?

[@captmulch1]

Exactly ...

[@engineerinnewyork]

How did you film all the air to air footage? I thought maybe a drone, but I could not see even a trace of a shadow close to the plane’s on the ground. Or is it all just masterful CGI?

[@twinairaviationllc1572]

I was wondering the same thing.

[@Kenriko]

@@twinairaviationllc1572 It's a 360 degree camera which automatically removes the selfie stick it is shot from when it records the image.

[@Kenriko]

It's a 360 degree camera which automatically removes the selfie stick it is shot from when it records the image.

[@engineerinnewyork]

@@Kenriko Wow, I didn’t know that such things existed. Thanks!

[@ToddsDiscGolf]

Is this in msfs2020? If not, it should be added as DLC! I’d buy that runway scene!

[@greggyd321]

I’m sure you’ve talked about it in other videos but, how the heck are you getting that footage from outside the airplane? I don’t see anything attached to the front of the wing. Nice work. Great flying skills as well. I’m an airline pilot, so I can very much appreciate what you do… and live vicariously through you :-)

[@pjpmd50]

look at the shadows at 12:08-12:10. Software edits out the pole.

[@Heyemeyohsts]

Elvis says - we need a little less talk and a lot more action

[@Pilot_Marc]

it looks like a death trap 😉🥵

[@prof.heinous191]

I'm thinking Jon could probably have another strip somewhere else on the farm, but where would be the challenge? ; )

[@SkrewFace-rw1yu]

I believe the man did say "mow wat' ya need"

[@nickcaci7238]

So what engine is under your cowl ? Sounds like a Rotax

[@johannesc3252]

I think there are shorter runways/altisurfaces in the french alps/pyrenees.

[@mopar92]

I’d put my fellow Cleveland TN native up against any of the best. Stout work Humberd.

[@ayokay123]

Can't most bush pilots in vstols take off in about 50-100ft?