I have the Red One converted back to Skis. I fly back and forth to ND from Mo often for family. So now Im getting some good X-country data on the skis. I climb to the FLs for True airspeed and reduced fuel burns. Sadly the drag of those skis is massive. For example, I get 193Ktas with wheel pants, Pants and Cargo Pod 190, Amphibs 170-175, On the Skis..... 155Ktas and 300fpm loss in Rate of Climb. I believe Cessnas 3300# gross weight limit is for performance. Ill add the Cargo pod next for the wing covers and hope to get the snowboards in it also. See what that does to the speed.

I want to take it slow learning Ski flying, My plan is to keep going N and land on the frozen lakes as they freeze up. Should be plenty of places to work different snow conditions in the same day. Any difficulty and Im always close to help. Ive built up my hard boot splitboard system and will use the spitboard skis/skins as snow shoes. The end goal is to land on a mountain side, Split board up and Snow board back down to the plane and make it home safe.

Went to ND for Thanksgiving, There was a small amount of snow, No cars on the lakes yet so I only got some snowy grass strip operations in.


I worked on getting the nose gear stance for prop clearance better than when I was in AK , Ski angles to 0 deg in Flight.
Then it was home again to Mo.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/a4zLLQ5gSFgyGxtp7

I assume the nose ski is retractable? If so, good. If not, be VERY careful getting into deeper snow.

Ice thickness on lakes is almost impossible to determine from the air, but cars on the ice are a pretty good clue. Still, watch out for springs, etc that the locals may know about and avoid.

Drag: Yup, that’s been my experience: Retractable skis are THE draggiest thing you can do to an airplane.

Have fun.

MTV

That plane is bad ass !!

super cool bird. thx for posting! Awesome

Love it. Not sure which more though, the aircraft or the adventure…

I got some ski flying in this winter season. Got some different kinds of snow but nothing too deep as far as powder goes. The plane floats on snow that you would post hole up to your knees. I do need to get a small pair of snowshoes to stomp around the plane with. Mostly flat frozen lakes and a couple of fields. Had fun finding little hills and split boarding up and snowboarding down. I didnt get as far enough west to do the Big Mountain epic splitboard fantasy. Maybe next year. With a little wind this thing gets off the snow.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/8vfnDahHQGu7h9Wh9 https://photos.app.goo.gl/dT4TfdtcoX3rFZYy8

Had a great time with Van for a day around lake Winnebago WI a few weeks back.