Hoping to pick a winner for the coming season. Not wanting to pull a Kevin and order both.

This is for a C-170 on straight skis. Currently running an Aero tail ski which is ok, but no great shakes, and a pain to install/ remove.

I know Burls has a great following. From what I see, they are all penetration-type, which increases the overall weight. If I had a C-185 on wheel skis this would be a no-brainer, but seems like it may be overkill on a straight-skied C170. Also $300 more.

I'm less familiar with the Airglas tail ski, but it looks like similar materials and shape, only not penetration, and smaller. The ones I've seen have all been on Supercubs and Huskys, which seems like a good size match. Looks pretty easy to install/ remove.

The C-170 feels like it falls in the middle of the range. I land in powder, but not crazy powder. I've got generous floatation on the mains (Aero 3000's with extra plastic footprint), and I can lift the tail with full power, so maybe a smaller tail ski is ok? I don't relish the thought of more drag in flight.

Any thoughts welcomed.

Thanks,

-DP

I have Burls for my 170. Love it. Never flown any others on this plane so I really cant speak for them. My mind says that with the penetration I can steer better (I know what a joke ) vs just the dish that is totally dependent on rudder. That only matters on packed snow and ice. Others know more than myself on that though. Flotation? I think its good but like I said I have never flown any other tail ski.
Greg

Thanks for the response Greg. Just for the record the Airglas ski has a short metal skeg on the bottom to aid steering.

Denali,

I run an Airglas 12x18 tail ski and Airglas 2500s on my 170B (O-300, Borer). I think the Airglas tail ski is a good match for the 170; it has low drag and enough flotation to keep my tailfeathers out of the snow. The tail ski weight is almost exactly the same as my Gar-Aero tailwheel so weight/balance is a non issue. I picked up a used Scott 3200 last year, rebuilt it with ABW parts, and changing the tailwheel to ski now involves one bolt and swapping over the chains. Check at Stoddard's; they usually have a few Airglas tail skis on the consignment shelf.

Went for the Burls. There are times when the wheel penetration actually serves me well, despite being on straight skis. (Like bare ground beneath the belly of the plane where the snow doesn't tend to stick.)
Have heard plenty of good things about them. Hoping it lives up to all that. We'll see.
Thanks for the posts.

-DP