Nothings perfect but the guys that had springs fail and go through the prop might disagree with your take this happened mostly on 180/185 with the Fluedyne L shaped ski. Nevertheless they do brake occasionally that is why I run the check-cable inside the springs to catch the pieces before thy go in the prop when I run springs.
The big issue is no one looks at the working length of bungees or springs, that is why they fail. I used both Bungees and springs with good results.
I totally agree that running the limit cables inside the springs is a good idea, but mostly just to keep them from flailing around. Personally, I've never heard of a ski spring breaking and going into a prop, which of course, doesn't mean it never happened, but if so, it certainly isn't very common. Anything can break, frankly, given enough talent and perseverance. I put some hours on 185s with springs installed on the Fluidyne retractable skis. Sorry excuse for skis, but never had a spring break in any case.
I saw a definite change in the ability to maintain elasticity in bungees somewhere in the eighties, or so. Before that, ski bungees seemed to last almost forever. Then, we needed to replace bungees every other season, and yes, the bungees were kept inside in storage when not installed. And, some of these were in warm hangars when not flown. The difference was very noticeable as well, not something subtle.
I never liked having ski limit cables attached to the gear leg for this reason. A bungee goes slack on you, that ski tip goes down, and there's a fine line between the limit cable being just long enough, and just a bit too long. I know, I know....that's why we hire mechanics. That said, staring at that angle with a ski tip down......
I like cables attached to the bottom engine mount on Cub type planes. The Cessnas, of course only attach one place.
MTV
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