Carrying Skis in a Single...

Yeah, try ski blades. They'll fit in any GA airplane. I didn't think I'd
like them, but they are great. I bought a set for my two sons and myself
this past fall. It's like power steering was added to a regular set of
skis. And they're cheap, too.

"EridanMan" wrote in message
ps.com...
Hey Guys,

I'm in plane-search mode after recently passing my check flight.

One of the number one uses I want for the aircraft is to be able to
make VFR flights up to Tahoe in the winter for ski trips (hopefully
regularly, as the weather permits).

As such, I have a pretty basic question-

What singles would you reccommend to be able to carry a load of 2 (or
possibly 3, with one being my very petite (105lb) Fiancee) people and a
load of baggage and Skis (the big issues imho) from The Bay Area to
Tahoe...

the plane that initially grabbed me was the Cessna 177A or B... Fixed
gear, a huge cabin (By inexpensive single standards), and 1000lbs of
payload (figure 250 each for passengers + baggage, and a
more-than-adequate 250lb fuel load).

Unfortunately, Cardinals seem to be be suffering a re-surgence of
demand lately... And the two I've looked at so far have had noticable
Wingtip Spar corrosion issues (although one owner swears he will fix it
his cost before selling).

Other options-

Piper Commanche 180... I trained in a 160, I have to say I like the
type (ergonomics and feel) FAR more than the Cessna Birds (177 is ok,
but I physically have issues properly operating the pedals of the 172
because I have such long legs, and the 182 for some reason doesn't
interest me in the slightest (something about the whole 'flying truck'
thing is completely unappealing). About once a week I completely fall
in infatuation with Moonies, with Several M20C's and M20E's being in my
45-55k price range... but then I remember that I want to be able to
share the fun with other people too:-P

I guess my question is- A- Have any of you found a comfortable/safe way
to carry skis in a Commanche 180? How about a Cherokee 180 (and if so,
how reliable is its Gear system?)

Is there any chance in hell that 3 people plus a weekends worth of gear
would fit into a M20C/E? IS there some other reason I should avoid them
(other than my natural tendency to prefer Fixed gear for
cost/maintenence reasons).

Anything else I should consider?

Thanks.

Hello,

We have a Mooney M20E (actually for sale... info at
www.internetworks.ca/vmr -- but thats not why i'm posting).... but i
think you'll be hard pressed to get any amount of gear into this plane.
Last year my girlfriend and I went to Osh Kosh in it... and we had the
back seat and the storage area full. There wouldn't have been room for
a 3rd person -- perhaps your 105lb fiancee... but certainly not 160cm
skis and winter clothing. Maybe you can get ski tubes for them... but
when people ask me if its a 4 place aircraft, I tell them its 4 place
if the 2 in the back are either children or amputees.

Good luck in your search.

-dr

Is there any way to leave the skis in Tahoe? You're certainly not going to
get much use out of them in the Bay Area. That would open you up to many
more choices in aircraft.


"EridanMan" wrote in message
One of the number one uses I want for the aircraft is to be able to
make VFR flights up to Tahoe in the winter for ski trips (hopefully
regularly, as the weather permits).

What singles would you reccommend to be able to carry a load of 2 (or
possibly 3, with one being my very petite (105lb) Fiancee) people and a
load of baggage and Skis (the big issues imho) from The Bay Area to
Tahoe...

Anything else I should consider?

Thanks.

Thank you everyone - a lot of great responses-

I'm already scheduled to spend two weekends at the end of the month
with a very experienced mountain instructor. I'm also obsessive about
safety (and a rather avid outdoorsman), so I would not dream of flying
outside of the bay area (if not above a major interstate) without an
'unexpected camping trip' pack that I'm currently putting together
(half dozen MRE's, tent, blankets, GPS, ELT, handheld radios, butane
stove+pot, etc, all in a single bag secured with heavy-duty velcro.)

As for planes... The Cardinal is still tempting, as is the Navion (with
the Cherokee-6 being my dream)... unfortunately, my current budget
doesn't allow for examples of either of those that I would be willing
to fly. Fortunately I'm patient, I'll wait until I have the money and
spring for a ship that will suit my needs.

Thanks again

-Scott

Don't forget some space blankets in your pockets.

Before I bought an airplane, try a rental of a similar
model, to know what it will do. Renting a 6 place cargo
hauler for one or two trips a year and owning an Cardinal
for the other 50 weeks is probably less cash out of pocket.



--
James H. Macklin
ATP,CFI,A&P

--
The people think the Constitution protects their rights;
But government sees it as an obstacle to be overcome.
some support
http://www.usdoj.gov/olc/secondamendment2.htm
See http://www.fija.org/ more about your rights and duties.


"EridanMan" wrote in message
oups.com...
| Thank you everyone - a lot of great responses-
|
| I'm already scheduled to spend two weekends at the end of
the month
| with a very experienced mountain instructor. I'm also
obsessive about
| safety (and a rather avid outdoorsman), so I would not
dream of flying
| outside of the bay area (if not above a major interstate)
without an
| 'unexpected camping trip' pack that I'm currently putting
together
| (half dozen MRE's, tent, blankets, GPS, ELT, handheld
radios, butane
| stove+pot, etc, all in a single bag secured with
heavy-duty velcro.)
|
| As for planes... The Cardinal is still tempting, as is the
Navion (with
| the Cherokee-6 being my dream)... unfortunately, my
current budget
| doesn't allow for examples of either of those that I would
be willing
| to fly. Fortunately I'm patient, I'll wait until I have
the money and
| spring for a ship that will suit my needs.
|
| Thanks again
|
| -Scott
|

Originally Posted by EridanMan

..............
As for planes... The Cardinal is still tempting, as is the Navion (with
the Cherokee-6 being my dream)... unfortunately, my current budget
doesn't allow for examples of either of those that I would be willing
to fly. ..................

-Scott

When you do get ready to spend money, take a look at the 206 with a cargo pod (or 336/337 w/ pod if you want a twin). The pod will fit most of the modern shaped skiis and up to 300# of the bulky, light outwear. The pod is available after market; however, it is less expensive to buy a plane that already has one. We take numerous family (5 people big and small) ski trips every winter and the 206 fits the bill for most of them.

The Pod is hard to beat, especially for skiers, and really sets the 206 apart from the crowd. The 300 ponies help when flying high and heavy.

CJS

"Rowsign" wrote in message
...

EridanMan Wrote:
..............
As for planes... The Cardinal is still tempting, as is the Navion
(with
the Cherokee-6 being my dream)... unfortunately, my current budget
doesn't allow for examples of either of those that I would be willing
to fly. ..................

-Scott

When you do get ready to spend money, take a look at the 206 with a
cargo pod (or 336/337 w/ pod if you want a twin). The pod will fit most
of the modern shaped skiis and up to 300# of the bulky, light outwear.
The pod is available after market; however, it is less expensive to buy
a plane that already has one. We take numerous family (5 people big and
small) ski trips every winter and the 206 fits the bill for most of
them.

The Pod is hard to beat, especially for skiers, and really sets the 206
apart from the crowd. The 300 ponies help when flying high and heavy.

CJS


--
Rowsign

The guys at ATG are saying that the're gonna offer a belly pod on the
Javelin that will attach to some hardpoints there... Should accept a few
pairs of skis to go with the 2 bags of golf clubs that fit in the
compartment behind the back seat... Anyone got an extra 2.5mil? ;-)