11/18/2021
Hi all.
I had a few ski/cold weather/how not to get stuck questions. Most of these were from the heavy guys like the Cessna 185, Maule and Stinson experienced guys that wanted to know how they used to do it back when the planes were new. Well, that goes back to the early 60's through the early 70's. I'll explain what I know.
First, most of the ski flying training came (again) from the military. Generally speaking, they did most of their flying in a VERY cautious and calculated form. They rarely subjected themselves to failure. Now, the guys back in the early 40's and 50's did the same but there were waay less friends helping them out. The point is that no one willingly entered into a position where they had an issue. So, the big point there is if you do something funny like land in a spot where you don't know the outcome or don't make a track, you will start using the shovel. See, those old folks did what they needed to do. However, with the lack of planes and friends, i would suspect they did not really go into spots as a test to see if they could get back out. Sure, they did go in and made mistakes but it was generally because they had to. It is the same today except we have more of a will to see if we can do it for sport. haha!
Like some of my students (over the years) have noticed, when I decide it is time to do something "funny" in the deep snow, you can be assured it will result in hours of shoveling. So again, bring a shovel.
The biggest thing I can tell you is that deep snow without a tailski will get you stuck. Even with a tail ski, you are going to get stuck. With wheel-skis? Stuck. With a 300hp and a Black Mac? Stuck. Just thinking about landing in the snow? Stuck as two squirrels in a tar pit. So again, bring a shovel. Bring a sn**ch block and bring a buddy. At least you can eat him. So, when someone says how to not get stuck? I'll tell them...goooood luck....maybe not land.
Now, how to mitigate it. Stop doing those fancy q-tip tracks in the super deep snow. Over the decades I've been exposed to the large ski plane training, those turns on the end of the Q- tip track will eventually get you stuck. Why? Because the airplane has to pull itself back into the track if you mess up and get off the track. With the normal skill set of a pilot, it is much easier to have a super long track with no turns or a box or oval shaped track that takes up more area. Lay two down, side by side. Always turn inside those tracks so you always are turning out towards your track, not in. I've had so much more luck with those track patterns and have performed a lot less shoveling. If you have never worked out in your life, get the 185 stuck. You will find new levels of self tolerance.
So, in a short nutshell. If you want to really have fun with the heavy, don't get stuck. Take the time to make two tracks at least 100 feet apart. Practice making a square or an oval. Practice a half mile long track that you can land and take off in. Practice staying in those tracks. Yes, overflow and all that adds to the equation. But, for the topic today and to help sell my book, I will leave it at just the track science.
Last, it is about time for someone to drop a plane through the ice. I put in the book some crack science from the old Military days.
I am trying to put together a book signing thing somewhere in Anchorage in January. Until then you can get the book at Stoddards, Northern Lights, Glacier Aircraft Parts in Palmer or order them online.
Cheers,
Artic
WWW.planeenlightenment.com
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