Hi everyone, I'm looking for some advice.

I would really love to get into ski flying, and if I could make it happen this winter, then all the better.

Considering STCs/337s, are there any wheel penetration skis on the used market that might be suitable for a 108-1 within a budget of about $2000? How long could I reasonably expect first-time installation to take? Am I too late to start thinking about this if I want to get them on the plane this winter?

Thanks everyone,
~Justine

Justine : You are being a little optimistic, looking for skies for the Stinson for $2000. Wheel penetration skies for your plane 40 years ago were around $ 2500. You will be hard pressed to find a used pair now for less than $7500 to $8500 . They aren't worth it, but that appears to be the asking price now !! Federal 2500 straight skies { not wheel penetration} used will sell in the $2000 to $3000 range If the snow gets really deep,2500 skies will really be too small and you will bury yourself . People I know running 2500 skies have put plastic on the bottoms that are much wider than the original ski bottom to give them more floatation! I would suggest looking at Aero 3000 skies made in Brooton,MN. Not cheap !! You can move the plane in and out of the hanger by placing 5 or 6 short, small pieces of pipe under each ski and it will roll fairly easily. Forgot to mention, the Federal 2500 skies were made in MN., also, mostly in the 1940's and early 50's I don't know if they are still in business ! I'm glad I bought my skies years ago !! If I can be of any help, give me a Shout. I might know of a set of 2000 Aero's that can be had. I'm in BJI John

Here's the STCs for the -1, you might find some for other 108 series that would make it "easier" to 337 over to the -1 if not already approved.

SA3-366
SA3-423
SA3423

Wasn't Trickair in Wisconsin going to certify a penetration ski for a Stinson? Having owned both straights and hydraulics for my Stinson, I would go with the fixed penitration skis unless you plan lots of deep snow ops. What you give up in performance might be worth it for convenience and less moving parts. Russ

jcrowles wrote:Justine : You are being a little optimistic, looking for skies for the Stinson for $2000. Wheel penetration skies for your plane 40 years ago were around $ 2500. You will be hard pressed to find a used pair now for less than $7500 to $8500 . They aren't worth it, but that appears to be the asking price now !! Federal 2500 straight skies { not wheel penetration} used will sell in the $2000 to $3000 range If the snow gets really deep,2500 skies will really be too small and you will bury yourself . People I know running 2500 skies have put plastic on the bottoms that are much wider than the original ski bottom to give them more floatation! I would suggest looking at Aero 3000 skies made in Brooton,MN. Not cheap !! You can move the plane in and out of the hanger by placing 5 or 6 short, small pieces of pipe under each ski and it will roll fairly easily. Forgot to mention, the Federal 2500 skies were made in MN., also, mostly in the 1940's and early 50's I don't know if they are still in business ! I'm glad I bought my skies years ago !! If I can be of any help, give me a Shout. I might know of a set of 2000 Aero's that can be had. I'm in BJI John

Oh, just what I didn't want to hear. $7500-8500? UGH. Straight skis isn't really an option where I live. The town is quite good at keeping the taxiways clear/black during the winter, and there are plenty of improved strips in the area. For close to $10,000, I'd rather think about replacing my Franklin engine!

I had found a reference to Trickair either here or on the Yahoo Stinson group, but it looks like the STC is still pending for Stinsons. If I can expect to spend so much on used skis anyway, I think that Trickair might be an option for me for next year, being that they're less than $7500 *new*.

Well, thanks to you everyone for the input.

I fly out of upstate NY on Federal A2500A (the wider version), with plastic bottoms that add about an inch to each side on my stinson. It performs well. I paid about 2500 a few years ago for them and they were in awesome condition! With skis you don't need a runway just a few feet of grass on the side and a set of dollies. The extra weight and cost of the hydraulic stuff isn't worth is.

electricsnail wrote:I fly out of upstate NY on Federal A2500A (the wider version), with plastic bottoms that add about an inch to each side on my stinson. It performs well. I paid about 2500 a few years ago for them and they were in awesome condition! With skis you don't need a runway just a few feet of grass on the side and a set of dollies. The extra weight and cost of the hydraulic stuff isn't worth is.

Well, it's not the lack of grass next to the runway that's the problem so much as the lack of grass *getting* to the runway from the hangar. For weight and complexity I'm sold on wheel penetration over hydraulics for what I want to do, though.

Justine, one of my customers is running Landis penetration skiis on his Pacer conversion. He feels like you do... they're just fine for what he does. They also cost him nowhere near "$7500"..... I'll shoot you his email address in a PM (after I clear it with him) and you can get some input from him, if you'd like.
John

hardtailjohn wrote:Justine, one of my customers is running Landis penetration skiis on his Pacer conversion. He feels like you do... they're just fine for what he does. They also cost him nowhere near "$7500"..... I'll shoot you his email address in a PM (after I clear it with him) and you can get some input from him, if you'd like.
John

That would be great!

Justine, I have straight skis. They all have a hole in them for temporary transport dollies to push in and out of the hangar. I have seen video (I haven't done it) of people taxing slow with them still attached. They are easy, one person can put them on and off in seconds. Go for a set of those cheap federals and have some fun!!

I have a pair (actually 2 pair) of Federal 1500s (narrow) for my cub (J-3/Pa11). Look to be in good shape, I have owned them for several years and in central WA we have not had a good snow year since just before I bought them. Can't last.

Anyhow. Do you just cobble the slippery plastic bottom on yourself, or do you send them somewhere to have it 'applied' and 'approved'??

I don't have any of the 'rigging' (if that is what it is called) so I will need to do some research and minor modifications to the cub and 'engineer' the cables/bungees/etc. to make the skis work.

The skis I flew (back when) on a cub (renting) were wider and shorter, and a LOT of FUN! That lasted about half a season until bent 'parts and pieces' put an end to it.... ....(not me)...

My knowledge/smarts/experience is VERY limited, so....
Informed advice would be appreciated.....
lc

I just saw a thread not to long ago on the skywagon.org or supercub forum where a guy was doing it himslef. Will see if I can find it.

Thanks, Ak. Appreciate it.

Justine, I am not trying to hijack this thread. It seems to be related-2 ski nubies getting started and the answers to both might help each other......
Sorry if I am just stepping on your toes....er, thread....
I didn't mean it that way!
lc

Does anybody have Pix of the/their ski dollies that are used for taxi from the hangar to the snow? I would think a cobble together/homemade would be the norm?

lc

Littlecub wrote:Does anybody have Pix of the/their ski dollies that are used for taxi from the hangar to the snow? I would think a cobble together/homemade would be the norm?

lc

There are a few dolly pics posted on http://www.skiplane.org and some skis for sale.
http://www.skiplane.org/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1268681001
Another great place for you to check out for new ski flyers.

Hey, thanks a lot, L-19, great resource you have aimed us to. Thanks a lot!
Thanks everybody, and AK, appreciate the helpfulness.
lc

Littlecub wrote:Thanks, Ak. Appreciate it.

Justine, I am not trying to hijack this thread. It seems to be related-2 ski nubies getting started and the answers to both might help each other......
Sorry if I am just stepping on your toes....er, thread....
I didn't mean it that way!
lc

Not at all! I would like to know, too.