WindOnHisNose
BENEFACTOR
Lino Lakes MN (MY18)
I have a question regarding flying/ground ops of Federal 2200 hydraulic skis. I bought a set from a mechanic in AK several years ago and Darrel Starr helped me renovate these and I have enjoyed them a great deal...especially this winter with all the snow we have.
My super cub is now hangared at the airpark (update on that will follow). The airpark runway is about 3500 ft and the agreement is to keep one half of the length plowed, and the other remains unplowed. In order to get to the plowed part I have to taxi over a hundred feet of snow covered taxiway, and I have not tried this up to this point.
I know that there is a notation that I am not to cycle the gear from gear up/skis down to gear down/skis up, or vice versa, while on the ground...and I understand why. When the weight of the aircraft goes over center of the arc of the ski armature there is quite a significant force that is exerted as the wheels go over center.
So, I have the cub with wheels down, skis up as it sits in the hangar and I want to know if any of you have taxied over/taken off over considerable snow? By the same token, suppose I choose to land on snow with the wheels down/skis up. The wheels only protrude 2 inches below the skis when the wheels are down...will this much drag cause me a problem.
I am not wanting to try this based upon my familiarity with what happens when I might land an amphib on water with the wheels down...
Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Randy
My super cub is now hangared at the airpark (update on that will follow). The airpark runway is about 3500 ft and the agreement is to keep one half of the length plowed, and the other remains unplowed. In order to get to the plowed part I have to taxi over a hundred feet of snow covered taxiway, and I have not tried this up to this point.
I know that there is a notation that I am not to cycle the gear from gear up/skis down to gear down/skis up, or vice versa, while on the ground...and I understand why. When the weight of the aircraft goes over center of the arc of the ski armature there is quite a significant force that is exerted as the wheels go over center.
So, I have the cub with wheels down, skis up as it sits in the hangar and I want to know if any of you have taxied over/taken off over considerable snow? By the same token, suppose I choose to land on snow with the wheels down/skis up. The wheels only protrude 2 inches below the skis when the wheels are down...will this much drag cause me a problem.
I am not wanting to try this based upon my familiarity with what happens when I might land an amphib on water with the wheels down...
Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Randy