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