MIDDLE: Showing how the pedestal is mounted onto the existing
gear hardware.
BOTTOM: Attachment of bungees and tension wires on C-140 to
top of gear leg.
with the ski must first be welded to the strut by an
aircraft mechanic. After this, installation or removal of
the skis can be achieved in less than 20 minutes by the
airplane’s owner.
“During our initial tests, we found that snow was
accumulating in the gap just behind the wheel. I made
a modification, creating a sort of ‘scoop’ behind the
wheel on the lower surface. This completely eliminated
snow accumulation; I believe that it also improved
the airflow around the ski in flight, as I measure no
significant difference in speed with or without the skis
attached to my Maule. But what is interesting is that
I can fly slower with my skis on than without them,”
which Rick attributes to giving the skis an airfoil-like
shape and keeping its attachments as aerodynamically
clean as possible.
