Backcountry Pilot • Attachment of skis to C182 frame

Attachment of skis to C182 frame

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Attachment of skis to C182 frame

Apologies if this has been covered but when I search skis and plane all of the threads are on skis for the plane!

But I want to attach my skis to the plane to make it easier to transport.

My first thought would be to fabricate a mount for the wing strut to hold my skis but with only a single connection point I’d be worried about them dislodging and becoming tail-strike dangers.

Has anyone attached their skis to a C182 straight tail, and if so, how did they do it?
SaltieFork offline
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Re: Attachment of skis to C182 frame

SaltieFork wrote:Apologies if this has been covered but when I search skis and plane all of the threads are on skis for the plane!

But I want to attach my skis to the plane to make it easier to transport.

My first thought would be to fabricate a mount for the wing strut to hold my skis but with only a single connection point I’d be worried about them dislodging and becoming tail-strike dangers.

Has anyone attached their skis to a C182 straight tail, and if so, how did they do it?


To be clear, you are referring to carrying HUMAN skis in a 182, as opposed to carrying aircraft skis in a plane??

If I understand that correctly, first thing I'd do is install an extended baggage compartment, and remove the rear seat, and replace that rear seat with folding seats.

I've carried a LOT of "stuff" on the outside of airplanes, including a lot of external loads on Cessnas, and I totally agree that trying to attach snow skis to the wing struts of a Cessna isn't a great idea. And, in fact, if you're in the lower 48 states, carriage of external loads on a fixed wing plane is a non starter. There's just no way to do so legally, at least on a 182. And, even if it were, you'd need to install some sort of "cargo rack" to secure them, which would require FAA approval. Good luck there as well.

So, I'd suggest figuring out how to carry them internally. And, by the way, an extended baggage has very good utility all year. It also affords you the opportunity to move a bit of weight well aft when you're light, helping to offset the typical C-182 nose heaviness. The folding rear seats (available from Atlee Dodge or Lake Vu) are STC'd, so legal, and they too offer a lot more options for cargo/seating all year.

MTV
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Re: Attachment of skis to C182 frame

Thank you for the quick reply. That makes sense to me. I had figured there would be some regulatory issue with external mounting on the airframe. Sounds like the easier course of action is to install the extended baggage.

Thanks!
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Re: Attachment of skis to C182 frame

Instal floats with STC and strap em on there. lol

something you could look into is installing a couple fishing Rod tubes in the back of the storage area. maybe that could free up some space
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Re: Attachment of skis to C182 frame

Here's a BCP discussion from long ago....

https://backcountrypilot.org/forum/carr ... -skis-1000
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Re: Attachment of skis to C182 frame

This may help

We’ve been on many ski trips in our 180. First with a stock cabin, then with an extended baggage compartment, now a belly pod is installed. It’s getting easier.

You can try putting the skis on the floor, under the seats.
(One pair of adult skis, flat, side by side; on each side. Little kid skis fit in the back)

This is how we traveled with the stock cabin. I remember having to pull the front seats to do this. It’s been awhile, so I’m not sure about having to pull the rear, but we did travel like this with 4 people; the rear seats were in.

Of course, if you have folding jump seats or 206 seats; they come up/out super easy.

Enjoy the trips!
aqua offline
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Re: Attachment of skis to C182 frame

I would highly recommend the Air Glass or Selkirk lowered extended baggage. I did it in our 180 and it works great also allows for easy sleeping in the plane if needed.
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Re: Attachment of skis to C182 frame

Cameron96 wrote:Instal floats with STC and strap em on there. lol

something you could look into is installing a couple fishing Rod tubes in the back of the storage area. maybe that could free up some space


External loads in the lower 48 are a no go.....even on floats.

And, floats during ski season......???
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Re: Attachment of skis to C182 frame

I had no idea? In Canada external loads are free game!
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