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WWhunter
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Ski flying in Hawaii!!
Nov 27th, 2005 at 12:36pm
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Just kidding of course!
New to the forum. My name Is Keith Leitch and I have a 7AC Champ 115HP with skis and floats. Also have a Cessna 172 that I have owned for 18 years. The plane is at my house in Minnesota near Itasca State Park where I just completed a 1000 foot strip. My wife is in the Army and we are currently stationed at Wheeler Army Airfield in Hawaii.

I just purchased the Champ before heading back here to Hawaii. I had zero tailwheel time before getting it. Got signed off in 6 hours and landed it at my house the day after the strip was finished. What a rush! Was shaking for quite a while.
Flew it nearly 20 hours in a couple of weeks.

I got skis for it but have never flown with them and can't wait til I am back in Minnesota for good. Which should be within the next couple of years.

Anyone up in the area is welcome to stop in. Land at your own risk. I will be back in June of 06
I'll post a picture of my place when I figure out how to do it.
  
A Country Boy Will Survive!!
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Jon_B.
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Re: Ski flying in Hawaii!!
Reply #1 - Dec 2nd, 2005 at 8:10am
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Keith:

I saw a photo of your strip on the 'frapper' website (from SC.org's link). Is anyone around in case I make it up there on skis this winter? I have to visit a couple near Duluth, too. And a guy by Hibbing, and make the ski-plane fly in at Aitkin. And the one at Nary, by Bemidji. And...

So many places; so little av-gas (and daylight).

Jon B.
  
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WWhunter
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Re: Ski flying in Hawaii!!
Reply #2 - Dec 3rd, 2005 at 4:04pm
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Jon,

No one is around this winter, I just got back to Hawaii Thanksgiving Day and won't be back to MN until my son graduates in June. I talked to you on the phone about a month ago. Have you done any research on the cub style gear or spoke to anyone that has it? I have been meaning to email Carl Bahn about it but haven't had time. The gear on my Champ either needs oil or new spring as it leans to one side and instead of fixing it I was thinking of changing to the cub style.
  
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Jon_B.
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Re: Ski flying in Hawaii!!
Reply #3 - Dec 5th, 2005 at 9:57am
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Keith:

I have, indeed, corresponded with Carl. I spoke to him on the phone last week, even. His number is 907-495-2247  (he rarely answers) or bahn@mtaonline.com (I think). His email is on the Aeronca website where we've been.

His gear right now is priced at $900. In addition to the legs, you'll need steps for fueling. With his gear on a Champ, it sits an inch taller than an 8GCBC Scout! They're an inch wider, as well.

A pair of SUper Cub hrdrosorbs are required, as well. New ones, with the ears and bungees are over $700 EACH at Univair. So, you're looking at around 2500 if everything's new. There are used 'sorbs out there but most are going to be junk.

Carl is also working on STCing replacement hydrosorbs at about half the cost of Univair, and with a life-time warranty.

My wife has but the brakes on further (major) spending for a while, so the gear are out 'til some tie in '06, I reckon.

I have to bring the Champ to AXN for the FAA guys to look at. We're trying to get the model number changed to reflect the tailwheel gear. It's a 7FC but we want it to be an EC for skis and such. Thursday's high is forecast to be around 10F. I hope the pre-heater works (it's a 60-watt lamp that's been on for about 10 days).

Jon
  
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WWhunter
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Re: Ski flying in Hawaii!!
Reply #4 - Dec 5th, 2005 at 8:51pm
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Thanks Jon.
That seems a little too spendy for me right now also. Don't know what I will need in the line of repairs to my gear or if it just needs oil. But I believe one of the oleo springs may be shot. The plane leans to one side slightly. Haven't really checked what it would cost to get the standard gear rebuilt either. It'll have to wait until I get back to MN. Sounds like it has been a little on the chilly side there lately.
Keith
  
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Paul Safran
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Re: Ski flying in Hawaii!!
Reply #5 - Dec 21st, 2005 at 11:30am
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check out link for gear info:

http://www.hangar9aeroworks.com/Aeroncastrut/Aeroncastrut.html

join the fAA board for the Champ (awesome info)

http://mail.westmont.edu/mailman/listinfo/aeronca
  
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