Winter Flying
02-05-2005 | 05:13 PM
#1
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Winter Flying
Hi guys,
I just got one of those Electric pusher-gliders with 2 motors at the back of the wing. Any of your guys flew the se types of planes? Well, back to my topic: If an airplane newbie (a.k.a me[8D]) was to install "skis" on the bottom of the plane for winter flying, would this bother the weight? If any of you ever tried winter flying, what types of snow is suitable for landing? Does the cold weather have an effect on foam parts? Or mainly plastic parts?
Thanks for any help!
I just got one of those Electric pusher-gliders with 2 motors at the back of the wing. Any of your guys flew the se types of planes? Well, back to my topic: If an airplane newbie (a.k.a me[8D]) was to install "skis" on the bottom of the plane for winter flying, would this bother the weight? If any of you ever tried winter flying, what types of snow is suitable for landing? Does the cold weather have an effect on foam parts? Or mainly plastic parts?
Thanks for any help!
02-10-2005 | 07:47 AM
#2
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From: Augusta,
ME
RE: Winter Flying
Hey Captain,
This is my first year at this hobby and I am flying year round. I fly from snow with Aventura Twin flying boat, Hobbico Superstar EP with home made skis (just pine, plywood, and PVC downspout!), and a Bonnie 20 with floats. All electric. I have friends flying foam planes (SIG bipes) and Easystar. All these planes have some plastic parts. I have not seen any undesirable effects due to temp other than battery power. Keep the batteries warm until used.
Of course, you are probably in a colder zone than I. I've been flying down to about 18-20 degs.
If the snow is too fluffy, the planes with skis have a hard time getting up on top without plowing through it. The flying boat is great in that type of snow. I prefer 2-3 inches of soft snow on top of a hard surface.(ground - ice - crust, etc). A little cushion!
The skis on the Superstar don't seem to affect the performance at all. I don't know how it would be on very light foam stuff. A friend flies SIG Rascals with skis. No issues there.
Flying from snow just adds another dimension to this hobby and allows us up here in the north country to fly year round.
Go for it and have some fun.
Joe
This is my first year at this hobby and I am flying year round. I fly from snow with Aventura Twin flying boat, Hobbico Superstar EP with home made skis (just pine, plywood, and PVC downspout!), and a Bonnie 20 with floats. All electric. I have friends flying foam planes (SIG bipes) and Easystar. All these planes have some plastic parts. I have not seen any undesirable effects due to temp other than battery power. Keep the batteries warm until used.
Of course, you are probably in a colder zone than I. I've been flying down to about 18-20 degs.
If the snow is too fluffy, the planes with skis have a hard time getting up on top without plowing through it. The flying boat is great in that type of snow. I prefer 2-3 inches of soft snow on top of a hard surface.(ground - ice - crust, etc). A little cushion!
The skis on the Superstar don't seem to affect the performance at all. I don't know how it would be on very light foam stuff. A friend flies SIG Rascals with skis. No issues there.
Flying from snow just adds another dimension to this hobby and allows us up here in the north country to fly year round.
Go for it and have some fun.
Joe
02-14-2005 | 09:47 AM
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From: Ypsilanti, MI
RE: Winter Flying
I make my own skis and use the dubros on the TM
Heres a movie on a beaver with home made ski's, we fly all winter, we have the following on skis and GWS floats fly really well off snow and they are about $10.50
Slow stick on floats
Beaver on Floats and skis
E starter on floats and skis
next I am going to try the corsair on skis if we get some more snow
http://gwsparts.com/movies/Beaver%20...2044%20sec.wmv
Heres a movie on a beaver with home made ski's, we fly all winter, we have the following on skis and GWS floats fly really well off snow and they are about $10.50
Slow stick on floats
Beaver on Floats and skis
E starter on floats and skis
next I am going to try the corsair on skis if we get some more snow
http://gwsparts.com/movies/Beaver%20...2044%20sec.wmv
02-14-2005 | 11:22 AM
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From: Spencerport, NY
RE: Winter Flying
Would skis bother the weight? Most definitely yes. How much? Depends on how heavy you make them.
All the previous replies deal with more sophisticated, more powerful planes. I'm guessing that you have one of those inexpensive twin-pusher planes that's controled entirely by thrust, that is, no moveable surfaces. My personal experience with these types of planes is that they barely have enough power to fly themselves, if then, and ANY added weight will adversely affect flying characteristics. Remember, those planes were designed to meet a price point, not to perform.
If the plane flies as-is, fly it as-is. Skis will only hurt the performance.
All the previous replies deal with more sophisticated, more powerful planes. I'm guessing that you have one of those inexpensive twin-pusher planes that's controled entirely by thrust, that is, no moveable surfaces. My personal experience with these types of planes is that they barely have enough power to fly themselves, if then, and ANY added weight will adversely affect flying characteristics. Remember, those planes were designed to meet a price point, not to perform.
If the plane flies as-is, fly it as-is. Skis will only hurt the performance.
