Here in Rhode Island we are having our first “real” winter in quite a while (of course as I write this it’s raining and 45F… ). This has caused me to daydream about putting skis on my 170. I am limited to wheel skis. My home field is always plowed and realistically we don’t get snow reliably enough for straight skis in RI anyway. But only a short flight north there seems to be plenty of snow to play in…

What are my current options for wheel skis?

Known Options:
Federal AWB 2500(A) – On the TCDS for the 170. Weigh 125lbs with pump. Wip sold the rights to Atlee Dodge. After calling them It’s going to be years before they are in production. Waiting on the FAA. Seems that a used pair with pump can be found for around $10k. I saw a pair for $6500 this summer and I’m kicking myself for not snagging them… These seem like my best bet.

Airglass GLH 3000 – STC for Cessna 170B. Weigh 124lbs. Can be purchased new for 18.5k. Have never seen a used set for sale. Look fancy but 20k is a lot of cash for something I’m going to realistically use a dozen times a year.

Other:
Aero Ski R2800 – No 170B STC. Not working on Getting one.

Trick Air – Website lists 170B STC “In Process.” – Have not heard back from them yet.

Schneider SWS 4000 – I’ve seen them on a 170 in the wild. I would assume that would be done under field approval.

What Am I Missing?

Also… My 170 has the stock C145 on the front. I do have an 8042, Sportsman, and 180 gear. Is it even worth pursuing skis? Or do I need more HP on the front?

Thanks!

It's 2025, dude! I'm sure lots of developments have occurred since 2024.

Damn. And its already February....

Unfortunately I'm not a ski guy yet so not much intel for you there, but I do have two answers for you.

SmokeyTheBear wrote:Is it even worth pursuing skis?

Most likely yes, it looks way too fun.

SmokeyTheBear wrote:Or do I need more HP on the front?

Of course you do. If you flew a skymaster you'd need more HP on the back too.

I fly a 170B+ on straight skis, and have limited experience with wheel skis as PIC (although a fair bit as a passenger). I'm guessing your home airport in R.I. and surrounding airports are mostly paved. That could make the trickAir or AirGlas design (with the little trailing wheels) more attractive. For those of us operating off gravel runways they are said to be more prone to flinging rocks.

-DP

The best config for a 170B in my opinion is penetration wheel skis, the less amount of weight penalty for the most operational flexibility. They worked well with the 0-300, however that said I now have an 0-360 under the hood and its perfect.

DreadPirateWill wrote:Of course you do. If you flew a skymaster you'd need more HP on the back too.

HAHA. Hell I would take more HP on the back of the 170. JATO Bottle?

denalipilot wrote: I'm guessing your home airport in R.I. and surrounding airports are mostly paved. That could make the trickAir or AirGlas design (with the little trailing wheels) more attractive.

100%. Its a concrete jungle down here. I called Airglas and was informed that they don't have an STC for a penetration ski on the 170B. The LW3600 is for the 180 and while they offer an L2500 (straight) for the 170B the LW2500 (penetration) is not an option. I'm sure there is a good reason for this but the person I spoke to just said it wasn't on the STC.

Mapleflt wrote:The best config for a 170B in my opinion is penetration wheel skis, the less amount of weight penalty for the most operational flexibility. They worked well with the 0-300, however that said I now have an 0-360 under the hood and its perfect.

ALRIGHT MAPLEFLT! This is what i was looking for! What skies are those? Can I legally hang them on my plane down here in never never land?

Thanks Everyone!

Do you want the sad truth !!

Mapleflt wrote:Do you want the sad truth !!

YES! DON'T TEASE ME MAPLE!

These skis are not available south of the 49th parallel.

But … but Branford’s at 44

Belloypilot wrote:But … but Branford’s at 44

Close; it's Bradford, spell check is no one's friend

Mapleflt wrote:

Belloypilot wrote:But … but Branford’s at 44

Close; it's Bradford, spell check is no one's friend

Doh! Ya got me

Belloypilot wrote:

Mapleflt wrote:

Belloypilot wrote:But … but Branford’s at 44

Close; it's Bradford, spell check is no one's friend

Doh! Ya got me

For some reason I've never clued in that this is you Mike. Haha. Belloy should've given it away.
Maple, what kind of skis are those, for those of us stuck in the frozen confines of the north?

I give up, who is Mike ?

That would be me. A1 is my neighbor . Hi Dave!

Belloypilot wrote:That would be me. A1 is my neighbor . Hi Dave!

Nice

So uhh Maple…. What kinda skis are those?

SmokeyTheBear wrote:a lot of cash for something I’m going to realistically use a dozen times a year.

Holy shit, a dozen times a year sounds amazing.

Zzz wrote:Holy shit, a dozen times a year sounds amazing.

I'm nothing if not optimistic.... If I was a realist I wouldn't own a plane and would probably play golf.