Go Back  RCU Forums > RC Airplanes > Beginners
 Floats on snow? >

Floats on snow?

Community
Search
Notices
Beginners Beginners in RC start here for help.

Floats on snow?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 11-25-2008 | 11:04 AM
  #1  
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
From: Sterling, IL
Default Floats on snow?

We have heard that on snow floats work just as well as skis.
Any thoughts on that?

Thanks

Laurence
Old 11-25-2008 | 11:10 AM
  #2  
goirish's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,130
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
From: Litchfield, MI
Default RE: Floats on snow?

In my case floats work much better when the snow is like powder. Ski's work better when the snow is hard. I fly my SeaDancer and SeaMaster off the snow and it works great.
Old 11-25-2008 | 11:26 AM
  #3  
apwachholz's Avatar
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 413
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
From: Silver Spring
Default RE: Floats on snow?

^^ Agreed. I've flown my Parkzone T-28 and Hangar 9 Piper Cub with floats and skis and found floats work best - for the reasons like Laurence-RCU mentioned. Through my experience I prefer floats since sometimes ski's will 'dig' into the snow if it's not packed down. As a bonus with floats, if you have nice powder your aircraft will track extremely straight on take-offs and landings.

Just ensure your floats aren't put on crooked or you'll be weaving around everywhere...LOL!
Old 11-25-2008 | 11:27 AM
  #4  
-pkh-'s Avatar
Senior Member
My Feedback: (2)
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,354
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
From: Emmaus, PA
Default RE: Floats on snow?

Be sure to pull your float rudder off, though, if you have one!
Old 11-25-2008 | 12:28 PM
  #5  
mclina's Avatar
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,809
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
From: Westford, MA
Default RE: Floats on snow?

I put a set of skis on my Four Star 40 last year, dragged all my gear to the field, shoveled a path to one of the starting benches, got the plane fueled up and started, carried it to the runway....

and it sank like a rock, right up to the belly of the fuse. Luckily I had brought another little SPAD along that I could hand launch, or I would have been REALLY mad.

I flew a couple of planes on skis last year, once the snow crusted over. Floats would work much better on powder. You have to watch out for the footprints on the runway.

Good luck.
Old 11-25-2008 | 12:31 PM
  #6  
goirish's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,130
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
From: Litchfield, MI
Default RE: Floats on snow?


ORIGINAL: mclina

You have to watch out for the footprints on the runway.

Good luck.
Is that anything like footprints in the sand? I use floats most of the time. If I go to the lake then I will use ski's
Old 11-25-2008 | 01:06 PM
  #7  
brett65's Avatar
Senior Member
My Feedback: (18)
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,505
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
From: Oklahoma City, OK
Default RE: Floats on snow?


ORIGINAL: goirish


ORIGINAL: mclina

You have to watch out for the footprints on the runway.

Good luck.
Is that anything like footprints in the sand? I use floats most of the time. If I go to the lake then I will use ski's
Skis at the lake? Frozen I guess?
Old 11-25-2008 | 01:11 PM
  #8  
goirish's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,130
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
From: Litchfield, MI
Default RE: Floats on snow?


ORIGINAL: brett65


ORIGINAL: goirish


ORIGINAL: mclina

You have to watch out for the footprints on the runway.

Good luck.
Is that anything like footprints in the sand? I use floats most of the time. If I go to the lake then I will use ski's
Skis at the lake? Frozen I guess?
Guess I forgot to mention that.
Old 11-25-2008 | 03:33 PM
  #9  
My Feedback: (5)
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,599
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
From: Loxahatchee, FL
Default RE: Floats on snow?

Skis work just fine on the water. Just don't slow down! Ever watch the snowmobiles skim across lakes at 70mph? The weather man has deprived us any "Real" snow here in South Jersey the past few years. I miss flying the Seamaster and others off the snow. Really enjoyed my Lou Andrews Aeromaster on skis.
Old 11-25-2008 | 03:40 PM
  #10  
goirish's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,130
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
From: Litchfield, MI
Default RE: Floats on snow?


ORIGINAL: bdtsr

Skis work just fine on the water. Just don't slow down! Ever watch the snowmobiles skim across lakes at 70mph? The weather man has deprived us any "Real" snow here in South Jersey the past few years. I miss flying the Seamaster and others off the snow. Really enjoyed my Lou Andrews Aeromaster on skis.

I'm gonna send you some snow!!!! How much do you want? When I fly my SeaDancer with a Mag. 91 4s and the snow is real powdery it kicks up a rooster tail, pretty. Also when you land it doesn't have a tendency to skip.
Old 11-25-2008 | 03:46 PM
  #11  
My Feedback: (5)
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,599
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
From: Loxahatchee, FL
Default RE: Floats on snow?

Send lots of it! My son will call you and thank you himself! I guess you're getting pounded with the lake effect snow? I had actually planned on using a cheap snowboard cut in half to make skis for my Giant Stinger. Even bought some big Kyosho car shocks for it. Maybe this year.
Old 11-25-2008 | 03:50 PM
  #12  
proptop's Avatar
My Feedback: (8)
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,036
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
From: Rome, NY
Default RE: Floats on snow?

I use floats too...much more versatile than skis IMO. (for reasons mentioned above )

A flying boat (I've got a Sea Monster ) is great too...

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.