Looks like we're in for it...

Snow can go from hard enought to drive oil rig over to soft enough to sink
up to your waist with snowshoes on. The density can vary by a factor of
almost 100. The coefficient of friction can also vary greatly. It is
opaque and can hide obstacles better than water. Finally, it can overlay
water and if you land on it, you are stuck until spring when your airplane
may sink to the bottom of the lake! Read some books on bush flying to
visualize the challenges that ski operations can present..

Mike
MU-2


"Peter Duniho" wrote in message
...
"Mike Rapoport" wrote in message
ink.net...
It always seemed odd to me that skis do not require at least an
endorsement. There is infinately more variability in snow than in water..

Granted, not having flown a skiplane I admit I only know half the
equation. However, it would surprise me if snow is even significantly more
variable than water, never mind "infinitely".

The extremely wide variety of landing conditions water presents is one of
the primary challenges of flying seaplanes.

Whether skiplanes should require their own rating or not, that's a
different issue. But I am inclined to disagree with any implication that
skiplanes are somehow MORE challenging than seaplanes.

Pete

We recieved more than that in about an hour yesterday.

Mike
MU-2
Idaho


"Jay Honeck" wrote in message
ups.com...
Not sure where it states that it technically needs to be winter for snow
accumulation. :-)

Here's what the place looks like -- and there's more snow on the way!

http://www.alexisparkinn.com/2005_december_snow.htm
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

Me too. I just got back from doing 6 approaches in a C170B.

Wait a minute -- this took a while to sink in: What the heck are you doing
in a Cessna taildragger, Jim?
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

We recieved more than that in about an hour yesterday.

Yes, but you're living where no human ever intended to live, Mike...

;-)
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

-19C, Holy Cow!

That's not even cold.

For sure.

I'll bet 'monk was thinking that was -19 F...?
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

Our daughter was born in the UP. I still have fond memories of
the area & looking back, the time we spent there was quite idyllic.
The UP is a beautiful area with beautiful lakeshores, forests,
waterfalls and there are plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy year
around.

For sure the UP is a little (okay, big) piece of backwoods heaven. I've
explored it by motorcycle, by cross country skis, and by airplane. It's a
very cool place to visit.

But I sure wouldn't want to live there in winter. Unless you live and
breathe snowmobiles, there ain't diddly-squat else to do.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

Well Jay, According to the forcast for southern WI, it looks like its
gonna be less than 10% chance of precipitation this coming week.

Snow is OK until Xmas. But I hate temps below 20 degrees, and don't need
either after xmas as far as I'm concerned.

John

Flyingmonk wrote:

How do they(skiplanes and amphips) stop w/o breaks?

Well, some of them do break.

Do they just wait
until the momentum is used up?

Oh. You meant *brakes*. Yeah, you have to plan ahead and coast to a stop.

George Patterson
Coffee is only a way of stealing time that should by rights belong to
your slightly older self.

Jay Honeck wrote:
-19C, Holy Cow!

That's not even cold.


For sure.

I'll bet 'monk was thinking that was -19 F...?

Either is cold when the high here today was 85....

Jay Honeck wrote:

For those of you in the warmer climes (who are no-doubt pining for a
"White Christmas"), I just snapped a few pix of the Inn at night, in
the snow, and updated the previously provided webpage.

You call part of the inn the "airport building"?

George Patterson
Coffee is only a way of stealing time that should by rights belong to
your slightly older self.