I'm posting this through a forum called Aviation Banter... what is interesting is that none of the responses given come through to there... but if I look at rec.aviation... I see your responses.... very odd.

Anyway... The skids are there to help prevent the aircraft from nosing over. This is a replica of a 1913 plane... no airfields, just cow pastures.

Here is a video of the first flight, we have an excellent thrust to weight ratio.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqCxheLIIn8

Rob