Not heated, not even a door on it yet. I’d taxied down always, practiced a few turns and brought it back. About 18” maybe of soft powder and then I was going so slow it piled up in front of the skis. Maybe froze down a bit too?


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Phil, Run down to AIH and grab one of these plastic grain scoops. They are perfect for that application.

https://www.aih.com/storefrontCommerce/itemDetail.do?item-id=16899&order-quantity=1&item-index=0&customer-item=SEA6982W&order-uom=EACH&warehouse-id=8&item-number=SEA6982W


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Thanks Prosaria, I'll chase one down tomorrow.

My first ever ski flight today. Wow was it fun and really beautiful.

https://vimeo.com/243785527

OK, JUST STEP BACK AND SET THE KEYS TO THE PLANE DOWN!!

Think about this for a bit!!! You have just expanded the amount of places you can land in Alaska by about 70 percent!!! Do you have what it takes to do this. I am talking fuel and bandwidth!!! Up till now you have toyed with some nice stuff to post for others to enjoy, but now everything is within reach. It is not something to take lightly. Will you be able to keep this video candy up the entire winter???? I would fully expect you will but understand if lack of good music slows posts.
DENNY

That’s awesome Denny, thanks. I am broadening my music interest into country now but it seems to be a lot about, pickup trucks, chewing tobacco, guns and dogs. Now I like all of that except chewing tobacco but sure doesn’t go well with flying videos. But I’ll keep searching!


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Nice vids mr.

Beautiful Phil. How does one know that the ice is thick enough/strong enough? I saw you check for overflow—I understand that part. But the thickness part, would that vary from lake to lake, or even from the center to the edge of a lake? Trying to learn....thank you!

Barnstormer wrote:That’s awesome Denny, thanks. I am broadening my music interest into country now but it seems to be a lot about, pickup trucks, chewing tobacco, guns and dogs. Now I like all of that except chewing tobacco but sure doesn’t go well with flying videos. But I’ll keep searching!


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Phil,
The more you get into country the more you'll think it sounds just fine over a flying video.

Love your stuff, thanks for posting.

Allan

Beautiful video Phil, looks like a lot of fun. I hope to get skis for the 180 in the future but around here they'll have to be retractable or penetration skis.
When you're landing on a big, unbroken snow surface like that lake in the video do you have any issues with depth perception / judging height? Do you treat it like a glassy water landing with a slow, steady decent to the surface?

Testing ice thickness is why they made skis for the 180-185
DENNY

Fraser Farmer wrote:...When you're landing on a big, unbroken snow surface like that lake in the video do you have any issues with depth perception / judging height? Do you treat it like a glassy water landing with a slow, steady decent to the surface?

First know that I am brand new at ski flying and I'm not a float flyer (yet). I've only flown two days on skis so far. The first was a bright, sunny day and I had no problem seeing where the surface of the snow was- even the subtlest of changes on the surface cast a shadow and the type of snow was the real dry powdery stuff that sparkles like a gazillion diamonds. The second day was a gray overcast day and even when I was on the snow I couldn't tell where it actually was. On smaller lakes I could use the shore line out of my peripheral vision to help me guess where the surface was. But like you said about a glassy water landing, on the big lakes I did a slow, steady decent to the surface. Once I laid tracks down I could come back around and the surface was easier to see- but not easy. I haven't used them yet but I'm carrying some black trash bags with small rocks in them to use if I'm forced/need to land somewhere I can't see the surface and don't have a huge area to ease down on.

This is so different then the off-airport wheel flying I do that I think I'll start a thread about what I'm learning as I learn it. Fun for sure.

Finally able to change from skis to wheels. Still some snow so about the only place open right now are the beaches at low tide, but that's where I like to start knocking the rust off.
https://vimeo.com/262786207

Just wanted to show everyone that I do have class...or is it that I'm cultured...I forget.

https://vimeo.com/263959473

Well it's breakup time. And the air has been raunchy, but I needed to get off the earth. Wasn't much but I was flying.

https://vimeo.com/267935107

Barnstormer wrote:Well it's breakup time. And the air has been raunchy, but I needed to get off the earth. Wasn't much but I was flying.

I have to say, I love seeing the Wagon there waiting for you on your return!

Thank you for the pictures Phil !! I should be up in SE Alaska mid July for a few weeks...

Ted, be sure and post some pictures and/or videos and tell us stories!

So yesterday was just too beautiful a day not to go flying. So I linked up with a friend and we headed out for some exploring. Low pressure working in from the East so the air was "interesting". But we still got to some areas that hadn't been open since last year. Got some hiking in and had a blast.

https://vimeo.com/274024192

A friend and his family came up from Texas for their dream vacation. my friend Bob graciously agreed to help fly them around for a day. The smiles were huge. (and they brought the sunshine and heat with them- yea)

https://vimeo.com/278353726

A week of excellent weather and it threatens to end, at least for a while. But not before I got up yesterday. First time this year I've gone across the inlet, but far from the last.

https://vimeo.com/278864653