Anybody got a link to the AOSS thingy? I want to read more about it.

You can read about AOSS at the Burl web site, or you can go directly to the AOSS web site.

http://www.burlac.com/

http://www.aoss.net/

Also you can go to the supercub forum and learn even more. The nice thing is that the AOSS is now available for the Husky using the Burl mod.

Nizina

Been awhile since I looked at the AOSS site. Looks like the price really went up.

The Husky STC Kit was $1500 and the XP Edition AOSS was $3000 plus $85 freight to Fort Worth. And then you must purchase 3" Extended PA-18 gear legs and Cabane and bolt kit. I am not certain about the labor yet. I purchased CubCrafters gear legs, Cabane and bolt kit. Hopefully I will get those parts in the next week. Steve Pierce, a very noted Super Cub mechanic in Graham Texas is going to do my install. Steve did the annual on my Husky this past Spring.

I am thinking the total installed price will approach $10k. If I wasn't planning some extensive use in Alaska and elsewhere I probably would not have done it.

Gary

Ah sweet. I didn't know that existed. I'd like to see what the landing feels like with that on the Super Cub....never rode in a Husky, so I wouldn't know what to compare it too..heh.

Thanks for the links Niz!

Is the snow staying now, or just teasing? I was trying to look at some different web cams and see how the termination line was looking on the mtns but couldn't find anything real defining.

Gary

I think the labor for the Husky STC could get a bit pricey. but your estimate of $10k for the whole instillation is hopefully in the ball park. There is a lot of welding to be done. I don't know if you have seen the Husky instillation photos that you can get from AOSS on a CD. It gives a lot of pictures of the instillation on George's dog and it looks challenging. It's no quick instillation. At any rate, I think you will find that it is worth it and will really enjoy your landings. (I'm speaking vicariously now.) I'm really interested to learn of your experience and how you like the new gear. Please keep us posted.

Tadpole

The termination dust is still moving down the mountains and the snow that we got earlier in the week is not destine to last. Temperatures are still getting up to the high 30s F in the day time but down to the high teens at night. The bulls haven't really started moving around yet, and the bears are still eating berries. The rabbits are getting white bellies and feet, but still have quite a bit of brown on the rest of their bodies. And the rivers still have a heavy sediment load and no shelf ice. I'd say another three weeks before things start to really freeze over here in the Wrangells.

Nizina

Nizina wrote:...
It was my intention to go out flying the following day and try out my new Bushwheels on several gravel strips: ... Pee Vine...
Nizina

How is PeeVine? Camped there for a few nights in 2003.

The last time I camped at the PeeVine was in 1983. I had hiked in there from Dan Creek and stayed in the original miners house. Bears had broken into the house and totally trashed the place. Don't know if that house is still there or not. The PeeVine is just a couple of miles from Fred Potts old cabin.

The airstrip at PeeVine is good, and many pilots fly in there and camp out. Just around the corner and up the Chitistone is Glacier Creek, but the strip is a bit rough for anything less then 26's. Glacier Creek also has a public use cabin and the hike up the Chitistone and eventually up the Goat trail to Skolai pass is a marvelous trek.

Nizina

Hello Nizina,
Hope all is well...I'm over in Copper Center...know of you are well...make a trip or two evry year...even got brave this last summer, drove out for the John Denver Tribute...good music...3 flats...

Peavine is one of my favorites...Last summer stayed at May Creek.

Ron

Hi J5Ron

Actually you and I are closer neighbors then our place on the Nizina. I also built a log cabin at 83.5 on the Rich that I try to enjoy as much as possible as well.

May Creek is just across the Nizina River from our homestead.

Three flats. That's not unusual for that miserable road. I've had my share as well. Been stuck in my share of road glaciers as well.

Being from Copper Center, you must know John Hoffman. He helped pull my 170B out of the trees years ago.

Good to make your acquaintance.

Nizina

Nizina,
Are there still some lots for sale on the Nizina RW? I heard there were some. PM me if you have any info regarding this....
11" of Snow in all. I had a Black Hawk coming from Anchorage to stop at my school and address the kids...had to cancel due to cruddy weather...I am not ready for this weather yet...

Ron

Ron

There is still land available on the Runway. I'll PM you with contact information.

Nizina

Nizina,

If possible, can you shoot me a PM as well? I may be interested.

Bill

Thanks for the info Nizina. I'll see what I can find out. I would love to move back to Alaska and your area sounds great.

Called Bill concerning the Nizina property. He returned my call...really nice guy, however he said he no longer has any lots for sale...

Ron
Copper Center, AK

Nizina....do you spend the winters out there? If...we will need to get together and do some Ski flying...

Ron & Bill

Sorry it didn't work out with Bill Seltenreich regarding property at Nizina. It is a great spot and there is property available, but apparently Bill made a commitment to another of our neighbors out here that he would not sell any more lots along the runway. I was looking forward to another pilot on the runway. Of course we are out here for the wilderness quality of the area. There is property available along the runway in McCarthy, but it is not exactly wilderness.

Well, winter is starting to close in out here (five inches of snow on the ground and temperatures remaining low), so I'm putting the bush wheels away for the winter and going on my wheel skis on Wednesday.

Keep in touch and fly safely
Nizina

Ron

Didn't see the second part of your post. We don't spend full time out here in the winter, but try to spend as mush time as the weather and consulting permits. Frankly when the temperature gets down below thirty below, it gets a little rough living in that weather on wood heat. Not much solar power out here during that time of the year either. And I don't know what your cut off points are for flying, but I don't particularly like to expose my airplane to flying when its less then about 10 below. Snow machining and skiing are great though.

Having said that we should make contact and get out and do some ski flying when temperatures are moderate. I'll give you my contact information off list.

Nizina

Nizina
Been out to you Nizina place? Hope to get out there sometime...was looking for a belly pod as everyone is growing in my family and need some extra room...We might go out again for the John Denver thing...weather providing...Not real interested in driving...Did you get a chance to go to the Valdez Fly-In?

Ron

Nizina,
I forgot to provide an update once the AOSS was finished on my Husky. The total labor cost was $12,000. Steve Pierce did a great job on the project. I probably spent a little extra since he remade some belly skins rather than providing a patch where the former gear was located. I hope that this makes sense, but I don't like patches and Steve is a great fabricator, so the installation looks like Aviat did it, or better!

The performance is astounding: I can drop it on a hard surface at an alarming descent rate and get virtually no bounce. When off airport and descending agressively, no bounce whatsoever. The stock Husky gear would not perform like this, if you were descending at much more than a few feet per minute right at touch down, it would rebound and bounce. Also, no banging sounds when rolling on rough ground. I had the SGS mod on the Husky gear and it made less banging, but was still not ideal. While many Husky owners don't land on rough terrain, I do and this is a very worthwhile modification for this activity. The new gear and system is very durable and isn't as hard on the airframe. It is somewhat like putting springs and shocks on an old covered wagon, wow, what a nice ride we have now!

Gary Fields

J5Ron wrote:Nizina
Been out to you Nizina place? Hope to get out there sometime...was looking for a belly pod as everyone is growing in my family and need some extra room...We might go out again for the John Denver thing...weather providing...Not real interested in driving...Did you get a chance to go to the Valdez Fly-In?

Ron

Hi Ron

I missed Valdez as I was out at the Nizina. I had to land in McCarthy as there was too much snow and mud to land out at the Nizina. Then my 6-wheeler broke a sprocket so I spent the Valdez weekend dealing with repairs and other logistics. I did see video of the Valdez Fly-in and Bob Ylvisaker who MCs the event gave me a rundown on its highlights. Bob lives in Palmer and does my bi-annuals.

Things have pretty well dried out so we are headed out to the Nizina either today or tomorrow. There has been a big Grizzly hanging around according to my neighbor, but hopefully he has moved on.

Bob Pyat here in the Palmer/Wasilla area makes good belly pods. You might want to contact him.

Let me know when you are going to be in the area.

Regards
Eric