Ski Techniques

[RKittine]

Having zero experience flying on skis, I Have been reading FAA, EAA and other misc. articles on Ski Flying. This is one article I enjoyed, though I would guess you experienced guys don't go through as much.

http://www.flyingmag.com/pilot-reports/ ... b?page=0,1

There was also some information on the EAA site about experimental aircraft owners making skis out of Water Skis and Snow Boards.

So, anyone want to share techniques? Do you use something more like a wheel landing to a three point etc.?

Thanks for your insight.

Bob

[CFII]

AOPA Flight Training Magazine has a feature article on ski flying this month, just got it.

[psafran]

Alaska Pilot's Association white paper on ski flying
http://www.aasfonline.org/uploads/5/1/9/2/5192988/ski_flying.pdf

[CFII]

What is "cold smoke" snow?

[psafran]

What is "cold smoke" snow?

In northen Maine it's what we called the plume of light snow behind a sled or car.
Cold on your face, hurt your nostrils & limited visibility.

[CFII]

What is "cold smoke" snow?

In northen Maine it's what we called the plume of light snow behind a sled or car.
Cold on your face, hurt your nostrils & limited visibility.

This was in reference to landing surfaces and different types of snow they are made of.

[cubdriver2]

]Bob, the first ski techniques is to get your skis on and be ready. Then if it snows go to the airport and get your plane to the snow, even if you have to drag it with your car from the hangar to the snow. "Git r done "

Glenn

[RKittine]

Glenn, Do you do a Wheel position landing or a 3 point normally? Many of the videos I have seen shows touch down with the tail high.

Bob

[psafran]

What is "cold smoke" snow?

In northen Maine it's what we called the plume of light snow behind a sled or car.
Cold on your face, hurt your nostrils & limited visibility.

This was in reference to landing surfaces and different types of snow they are made of.

Then I would guess it was describing very light snow with small flakes.
When disturbed, take-off, or even landing, will leave a "smoke trail" behind that may take a while to dissipate, or drift with the wind.

[RKittine]

Thanks Dave, I knew I could count on you and Paul for a serious answer. I am on Long Island and my Flight Training Magazines comes to the New York City address, so I have not seen it yet, but will look for it.

Bob

[CFII]

Thanks Dave, I knew I could count on you and Paul for a serious answer. I am on Long Island and my Flight Training Magazines comes to the New York City address, so I have not seen it yet, but will look for it.

Bob

Also Bill Quirk's new book, BUSH PILOT WAY is loaded with ski flying info like prelanding dragging, turning and everything else.

[RKittine]

Thanks again. Will put it on my list.

Bob

[cubdriver2]

I think it's risky doing anything other then a soft field landing untill you feel what the snow conditions are. I fly alone 50% of the time and land all over on remote lakes and fields and it's always different. Slick snow right now can be mealy and sticky 30 minutes after a cloud moves and lets the sun shine.

Glenn

[RKittine]

Thanks Glenn, I figured with your experience level you would have some good suggestions.

Bob

[akavidflyer]

I am a little late to the party, but when landing a new lake or swamp area I always come in and drag the intended landing zone with the mains and keep the tail up. Drag out the strip for awhile then power up and go around and take a look at your tracks from the air. If they are grey, or darker than the surrounding snow your done there for the day as its showing over flow in the tracks. When actually landing I am pretty much with Glen and do a soft field type landing touching down on the mains with the tail low but not dragging the snow. As he stated, if the snow is sticky you still have the option to power up and get the hell outta there (most of the time) but once the tail touches down you have pretty much thrown out the boat anchor and your stopping pretty damn fast (unless your on ice).

Its a toss up for me which I like better, playing on ski's or floats. Both are a world of fun, but I think I like float flying just a teeny tiny bit more. Maybe that is because during float season its not a 2 hour ordeal getting the plane preheated and ready to fly

[hotspur666]

Up in the arctic, we didn't worry much about slush..but we still drove around in circles two or three times to beat down any loose snow...
but first, a helper jumped out while still in motion with a 5 gal bucket of diesel oil and soaked potato sacks that he laid
on the intended stopping place to oil up the bottoms as they would melt then freeze the skis to the snow otherwise.
No teflon in those days, but the wooden skis were clad with copper sheeting, which is just as good as teflon, but more fragile.



No loose snow at this particular location(Wakeham Bay, Ungava)but the worry was that
all the village's dogs would rush to where they estimated I would land, to try and bite at my heels, I presume.
They would only jump off at the very last second.

[Tim McCormack]

If they didn't jump off they would have served as lubrication I would think.

[jjbaker]

Welcome to the site hotspur666 and thanks for joining us. Great picture!

[hotspur666]

Hmm...ski pics...here's a few more:

Bags of gold out, fuel drums in...

Ice thickness 6 to 8 inches...time to bug out and go home!

The trees being ten feet tall, I'll let you guess the ceiling!

Grandson doing the 80 degrees bank flying!

Finally home!

That's a few years back...right now the ice is still six feet thick here!

That's not a Pratt n Whitney but a GE Walter...(750 hp)