Are there any guidelines for the size of skis? I'm familiar with the rule of thumb for floats, but didn't know if there was anything like it for skis. I got a set of skis for my Kadet trainer. The two main skis are about 13" long and maybe 2 1/2" wide. I also have a .60 size Cub that is about 12 lbs with a 90" span. I'm wondering if I can use the same skis on the Cub or if I need to get bigger skis. At $45 a set, they're kind of steep.

Thanks,
Scott

You can make your own out of plywood, do a search, you should find something.
I just fly my float planes from the snow, work better than skis. I also fly them off grass.

I made a simple set of skis for my kadet lt-40. I just used some scrap ply from my somethin extra and soaked the tips in some hot water for a minute. I then went on to bend the skis and then heated them with a heat gun to get them to stay. It is easier to make a form and them stick it in there and clamp it and let dry overnight. As for putting the same ones on the cub, I would make a bigger set as it is a much heavier and bigger plane so make the skis longer and wider. Also the skis don't work well off of fresh powder wait until it builds up and the top hardens a bit.

Hey guys check these out they work great and i have made alot of them for flyers in our area. They don't stick to the wet snow and the climb up out of the powder. They even work on grass.
http://www.richhook.com/better_ski.htm

jagnweiner:

If you are a bit handy with power tools you can build yourself a set of ski's that will work great for CHEAP! I built my first set of ski's for my spads out of pvc downspout pipe (the square stuff). All you need to do is cut them to length (roughly 11-12") then split the downspout pipe lengthwise....leaving a 1/2" or close to that on each side for support. Basically it is a short U shape that you heat up and bend the front edge up to form the ski. For mounting I used 3/8" or 1/2" plywood cut into a runner of sorts so I had a mounting point onto the stock wheel axles.

Here's a couple pics of my spads set up with the home made ski's:

First one is the spa3dt on a long set of ski's (11 1/2" overall length)


Then this one is a dominator with basically the same set of ski's (within' an inch or so of being the same)


Basically you can build yourself a pair of ski's like these for a couple of bucks.....biggest expense will be the raw materials (if you don't have scraps of ply or plastic downspout laying around). You can get the 10' (yes foot) section of the downspout pipe at most home improvement type stores lowes - home depot - menards) for around 5 bux. Plywood or anything you can find will work for the runners.....remember being creative doesn't really cost anything.

Madd_Maxx

Max-

Thanks for the info. I built a similar pair of skiis out of gutter pipe last year for a Debonair. My biggest problem is getting them to stay put. I've tried rubber bands like you used, but still had a tough time. I already have a nice pair of commercially produced skis for a .40 sized plane that my wife bought me. I really like the hold-down method they use. I just want something for my larger Cub, but don't want to buy another set. I think what I am going to do is make sort of a "shoe" out of gutter pipe that is longer for the longer plane. I will then attach it to the smaller skis when I need to use them with the larger plane. I'll post pics when I get it done.

-Scott

Hey you guys, you are missing the slopes! Gutter pipe sticks to the wet snow and bends too easily. The way you have them attached they also wobble around too much. Mine are made out of a thick plastic with aluminum U channel to stiffen them and the axle goes through both sides fo the U channel making them very secure with NO wobble! The music wire tork rod keeps them from tilting up or down yet lets them move on the groung for better shockabilty. I have an O.S. 32 with a tuned pipe on a 3 1/2 pound plane and even at full throttle, over 70 mph, the skis stay right where they are supposed to be. Yesterday I was at the field and there was only a dusting of snow on the ground and I was duing full throttle taxi runs on the ground the lenght of our field. It was just way too cool.

http://www.richhook.com/better_ski.htm

Here's a site Ive taken my designs from. Great looking and really functional.

http://www.stenulson.net/rcflight/skikits.htm

CapHook:

Hmm.....not really sure what you mean about not being able to fly off wet snow with the downspout pipe ski's I made. I can't see the difference between the vinyl material used in making the downspout pipe or the plexiglass material you used for ski's.....they'll work the same. I've been using these for a couple of years now and have had no problems flying off 3" of powder or off wet snow. The snow won't stick to the downspout pipe ski's either. I find it's fun taking off in 2-3" of powder and after liftoff the snow that built up on top of the ski just simply slides out the back of them.

Not to flame you for your building or anything but have you had any problems with radio interference while using those ski's since they are basically metal to metal contact at the mounting pont ?


BTW the runway our group uses is 5000'+ and paved how will those ski's hold up to the beating pavement will deliver.....you only mentioned grass runways..

Madd_Maxx

The plastic down spout I'm sure works fine but the picture looks like the metal type which sticks to wet snow. There is no interference problems. The U channel is aluminum and is always held tight by the music wire tork rod and the 1/8 inch cable clamp. The Steel to aluminum conection does not cause interference. The plastic I use is thicker than the down spout you are using so would hold up better. I have many times took off and landed on paved roadways without any problems what so ever. Don't knock it till you try it. I have tried about everything else and nothing has worked as well as these!

I have used the older DuBro metal skis with good results &no sticking. i did wax them as a precaution. no glitching problems either. also made some out of 1/8 hard ply , steamed ,bent &coated with epoxy..say those are NICE skis. good design. ive only used mains , never nose gear skis so I am curious how the nose ski is set up.

use youre floats in winter too
they work well in the snow

Definately go with pontoon floats!

Ed