aircraft skis

Aircraft Skis - When COO member Mark Heisler owned the Cessna 170, he flew on skis in the winter.

When I was young, my father was into all kinds of chains, flights, and water sports. He was a boat, stockist, and boat merchant. In fact, he is the number one Ski-Doo dealer in the state. The snowmobile was a great addition to the fun. At that time, it seemed that the winter had a lot of snow and lasted a long time, a different kind of snow activities were appreciated.

Aircraft Skis

I know the Midwest isn't the best place for skiing - there are very few skiable mountains - but with Ski-Doo Motorcycles, we're skiing on the water on the back of a snowmobile. When that got boring, we moved on to our snow version. Maybe we should make a proposal and make a package on the snow line.

Alaska Ski Plane Charters

We used to take old wooden water skis and cut them about two meters long. After removing the bindings, we would place wooden strips over the skis where the bindings were located, so that our feet would not slide forward. On the skis. Before the skis went up, we dug a hole. Wiping one end of a short length of ski rope, we drilled a hole in it and tied the rope to the other end to keep it in place.

Our house on Hiland Avenue was at the top of a big hill. At the bottom of the hill there was a slope where several cars were parked on the road. On the east side of Hyland Avenue, there is a beautiful wooded hill leading down the street from the cemetery. Like a snowman, we would stop at our converted market, grab a rope like a rodeo star and walk down Cemetery Hill to Hyland Avenue. Yes and the guys would get us trees, snow shovels, and we usually get in front of parked cars. Clever, no, but at this age it's fun.

Here we get snow twice a year and we were smart enough to blow trees, cars and baskets. We were not always completely in control. There are occasional falls that send water skis, bugs, and snow drifting between cars and onto the road. In fact, there were instances where there were several tire tracks on the same track. Guess it's just dumb luck the board ended up under a passing car. I like to use the word "brave" to describe a few of my failures although "stupid" might be better.

The concern when children (and adults) do things that are "brave" is the responsibility they are involved in. Back when I was a kid, I don't think we had much fear of lawsuits or liability issues if the snow hit the car. As children, we didn't have much money to worry about losing. Snowboards made into water skis no one wanted. If it broke, we made another one. But now the price of good snow or skis can be over $1000. "Toys" are already expensive and money "doesn't grow on trees" like when I was young. So now a drone on a busy street gives me chills. Well, another reason could be because I work in the insurance industry.

File:cf Axe Ski Plane (10841680165) (cropped).jpg

As an adult, I find that I don't personally have to face these situations very often. I should know better - maybe. There were many times when I thought I knew better but it turned out that I didn't. Like the time I took off in a Cessna 150 in a snow-covered grassy field for brake clearance. Or when I tried to follow the river home and the roof fell to the floor until I was under the bluffs without a place. Thank goodness for reliable engines!

It is possible. Now, you're probably wondering how my childhood snow activities fit into an airplane. Well, we make flight decisions that put us in situations that are not as busy as the road and the house boards. These days, winter snow brings the vision of landing on frozen lakes with (or without) skis.

Many pilots have traded in their sport bikes for a family Cessna 170 or Piper Super Cab for the thrill of landing on a cold, snowy lake. Usually, it's a great experience but sometimes it ends with bad results. Just like a board and a tire, flying on skis can have a negative effect on the plane if the landing is not high enough or smooth.

But if you're interested in exploring the world of jet skiing, let's talk about some things you should consider. First, what kind of skis are you thinking of? The FAA divides it into two categories - standard skis and hybrid skis. With conventional skis you completely replace the wheels with the skis. This is usually the cheapest option. Although they have their problems like flying around on dry land.

Diy 3d Printed Skis For Ft Planes (& More)

Combination skis combine wheels with skis. They can be wheel mounted (allowing the wheels to drive through non-snow conditions - often called "penetration" skis) or have traction wheels. In my opinion, pushing the wheels to the trailer means more money and more weight and is not practical.

Personally, I think the best choice for skis would be to connect skis that let the wheels "enter" through the skis. But I think it depends on the type of plane you use.

On a side note, I saw an ultralight that uses flats to land on ice; I'm not sure it's worth it, but it seems to work.

Another issue when skis replace wheels is that they eliminate the braking system. Usually the skids and drags slow down the plane and eliminate the need for brakes but there is always the problem of snow or too long runways. There can also be occasional damage from hidden obstacles, snow drops, dirt or snow drifts that take the plane to the bone. Rolls on the ground, nose ups and equipment damage are typical for airplanes in combination with skis.

Small Airplane With Skis

Most insurance companies have no language in their policies other than turning your pride and joy on skis. A ground plane is a ground plane. Unlike floating, adding skis does not change this fact. But there are few companies that do not like skiing. In a quick review I found that the policy states the following: "The coverage provided by the policy does not apply to the operation of an aircraft where the purpose or intent to do so is any of the following, regardless of the amount paid .:... (z) taxiing, taking off or landing on snow or ice while the aircraft is in motion."

Also, you should make sure that the policy does not cover the landing at the airport. If not, you cannot land on your friend's farm or an illegal private airport even if you have the right to fly (with or without skis). To be sure, contact your airline insurance agent and confirm that airport landings and ski use are not covered by your policy.

There are many things to consider before adding skis to your aircraft. There are many things to consider.

If you think about it here, if you land a plane with skis on a supposedly frozen lake and the plane crashes into the ice, what happens? It is now on the water (or rather in the water). Is a marine rating necessary with marine insurance?

Be 8 With Water Skis & Hydrofoils (+rolling Carriage)

Scott "Air" Smith is a nationally known author and speaker. He is the author of "How to Buy a Single Engine Airplane" and "How to Buy a Skymaster." He is a single and multi-engine pilot with more than 30 years of experience. Smith is also the owner of Sky Smith Insurance Company. Learn more at SkySmith.com.

Click here or above to receive your free newsletter, plus choose your download: 172 Owners, 182 Owners or Digital Magazine. Flying with skis presents its own challenges, according to Steve Williams, DPE of Alaskan, ATP, IA and A&P, whose company, Acme Cub Training, specializes in modifying the Piper Super Cub PA-18 and other Cub models. He is also a flight instructor who teaches bushwheels, hang gliding and skis.

"Bicycle flying is one of the most forgiving types of flying if the snow is good and the light is right," he said. "It is very difficult to predict flight on skis. The plane just slides," he said.

Steve Williams falls through the snow on top of the Knick Glacier overlooking Prince William Sound. (All photos by Rob Stapleton Jr.)

Airplane Design (red#3) With Skis

Alaskan aviation pioneers developed air skis in the 1920s and perfected them until the 1940s. Many of these designs are still used in general aviation aircraft today.

Many are Alaska legends - Carl Ben Eelson, Harold (Trill-Em, Play-Em, No Kill-Em) Gillam, and Bob

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