BC12D-4-85
SPONSOR
Fairbanks, AK.
All compounded because you need to keep the tail high enough to keep the drag off the TW or tail ski. So down the lake you go trying to build some speed but with the tail high you don't have any AOA so it doesn't get any better and your only hope is the skis hydroplaning up out of the water and slush.
Glenn
Yes AOA or the lack thereof is a factor. Snow depth varied from 1-3' and slush usually to the top of boots. Once we dig a trench on landing and stop adjacent water comes a runnin' to see what all the fuss is about and fills any void. It's then shovel and snowshoe time on occasion.
I had tail skis on the Citabria and PA-18A that was used for this trapping purpose and they help float that back end some. But the big factor was longer landing gear...Scout gear and a STOL kit on the Champ and 3" Cub gear with VG's on the other. That offered some more AOA but still low lift but helped keep the water off the prop. If the prop gets wet it's tea and cookie time plus lots of scraping ice. A tall ski pedestal helps as well...but wide skis can slow down the trenching process if they don't float the plane on top. I had an 80" C/S prop on the 150 Champ and an 80/40 Mac on the Cub which is essential. A good roll-up of the ski tip is better than flatter in climbing up. Federals and Aero's do good there.
Today I'd use a set of those double slotted flaps and 160 or more hp. Or just come back later when all the excitement has frozen.
Gary