Looking to buy a Cessna 180/185 (easier to source - lower operating costs) or a Beaver on wheels as a family hauler (fewer to choose from - more capabilities). The Beaver is my top choice, yet difficult to get time in.

I recently sold my constant speed RV-7 and one my favourite activites was to maintain currency by doing pattern work and keeping it close in.

I had the pleasure of logging a few hours at Kenmore a few months ago and really enjoyed 'splash and dash' pattern work in the Beaver. So light on the controls, nicely balanced, great sound track from the 985 and the precision of the trim system was unexpected. Can't say enough good things about that experience.

I'm looking for comments around what it's like to fly the Beaver on standard wheels. I haven't been able to find anyone on the West Coast willing to offer dual on wheels.

Any recommendations?

Thanks

Good luck on your search for someone. You might have luck waiting until the busy season is over, then asking one of the part 135 operations here in AK that operate them on wheels. Many of those places are ramping down in September and would have time, if their insurance would allow it and you're willing to pay enough. Just a thought because I can't imagine there being a flight school with one.

When I was a kid hanging out at the West Point VA airport in the mid 1960's military Beavers from Ft Eustis would come over and do touch and go's. Can still hear the tires chirp and then power for another circuit. I don't remember any accidents.

Send me a PM. I have a friend with a Beaver here in the Midwest. He goes between wheels and floats. He may be willing to get you some time in his but I can't speak for him.

MW

Thanks everyone for the PMs. Great community!

We have three Beavers and fly them about half the year on 8.50X10's, sometimes with hydraulic wheel skis installed and sometimes not. You can expect the same great experience flying it on wheels as you did on floats. Trim it right where you want it, slip it down with flaps, use somewhere between Climb and Takeoff flaps for any decent crosswinds. Our Cleveland brakes are super touchy but enable super short landing rolls if done correctly. Be ready for it to fly prior to getting the power all the way up, especially if it is cold or there is very much headwind. Fly it light and you will be airborne before you even get to climb power. Roll a wheel landing on and smoothly but aggressively get on the brakes and it will come close to stopping with the tailwheel still up. Good luck finding someone to fly with.



Can't miss a chance to post a pic from Johnson Creek...

Henny wrote:We have three Beavers and fly them about half the year on 8.50X10's, sometimes with hydraulic wheel skis installed and sometimes not. You can expect the same great experience flying it on wheels as you did on floats. Trim it right where you want it, slip it down with flaps, use somewhere between Climb and Takeoff flaps for any decent crosswinds. Our Cleveland brakes are super touchy but enable super short landing rolls if done correctly. Be ready for it to fly prior to getting the power all the way up, especially if it is cold or there is very much headwind. Fly it light and you will be airborne before you even get to climb power. Roll a wheel landing on and smoothly but aggressively get on the brakes and it will come close to stopping with the tailwheel still up. Good luck finding someone to fly with.



Can't miss a chance to post a pic from Johnson Creek...

The Juneau USFS Beaver the only Green and white one in the inventory?

Thanks Henny, appreciate your affirmation and advice on handling characteristics of the Beaver on wheels. I really enjoyed see your aircraft featured in the Nov/Dec 2021 Water Flying article. Love the photo in front of the Ely water tower of N192Z being slipped in on short final.

The Juneau USFS Beaver the only Green and white one in the inventory?

Yep. Use to be in red and white fire colors, but since it a Law Enforcement only aircraft, they wanted a different paint scheme (an an obscenely large badge on the vertical stab...)