Ski Rigging

Post-War Aeronca Champ airplanes
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WWhunter
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Ski Rigging

Post by WWhunter »

I've got a pair of Federal 1500A skis and the rigging on them is for a Cub. I am in the process if putting UHMV on the bottoms and I need the cable lengths. Anyone know what the front and rear cable lengths are? End to end (inside of thimble)?
Thanks,
Keith
Jon B.
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Post by Jon B. »

Keith:

Call Troy at Aero-Ski. Even though they're Federals, he has rigging information. I bought some pieces from him for the Federals I had and he gave me the cable lengths. They're the same for Federals as Aero.

Aero-Ski, Brooten, Minnesota. 320-346-2285.
Jon B.
WWhunter
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Post by WWhunter »

Thanks Jon. I called him before I posted the question. I just wanted to double check with someone that has it already. I'm going to see if I can make it myself and save a few dollars. He quoted $180 plus shipping.
Troy is a super nice guy to talk to and very helpful if anyone is looking for skis or ski info don't hesitate to talk to him.
Jon B.
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Post by Jon B. »

You're welcome.

Note also that the cables vary between 'standard' oleos and the long-stroke (no-bounce) oleos. The latter are a few inches longer.

I have a new set of Aero M2000 skis (well, Lee owns them) and can measure them if you can wait a few days. They're out at Lee's farm.
Jon B.
WWhunter
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Post by WWhunter »

I have the standard gear. I remember Troy had said there was a difference in the two type of gear just don't remember what it was...2" seems to what he said.

Troy gave me these measurements:
Front cable 44 3/4"
Rear cable 32 1/2"
Bungie 34"

The bungies I have seem to look alright but the cables are close to the measurements he gave me for a Cub.
Mac
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Ski Cables

Post by Mac »

I installed a "new" set of Federal 1500s on my champ last week. I was told they were rigged for a champ but my mechanic wanted to double check to make sure they were correct. We mounted the skis on the plane and hoisted it until the skis were off the ground with the plane in a level attitude. We then measured the angle between the skis and the plane. We had to cut the rear cables on both skis and make them shorter so the skis had the proper angle. He showed me the data from the FAA, the ski tips have to angle up between 0-5 degrees. Treetop flyers had the information on their website as well. Good luck, I have had a great time so far with skis even though the weather has been really poor.
CptKelly
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Tree Top Flyers....

Post by CptKelly »

Can you provide the web site address for Tree Top Flyers?

Thanks,

Mike
MikeB
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Post by MikeB »

Mike,
I believe it's treetopflyers.org

Regards,
Mike Berg
"If God had intended man to fly He would have given us more money"
Dusty
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Post by Dusty »

Cable lengths depend on what type of tabs you have and where they are located, on the ski and the airplane, clevis length, and what's been bent or moved over the years.

If you have the clevises and tabs, you're looking at something on the order of $20 for the cable, thimbles and Nicopress fittings, and maybe an hour the first time you do it, to properly rig your airplane to your skis. I wouldn't mess around with cable lengths on a bet. Cut that crap off, put your skis on, and rig it to your airplane.

For what it's worth, you'll want the skis as level as allowable. 5* nose-up is about 4.9* too much, unless you LIKE losing 5 MPH in the air and pushing great piles of snow along instead of climbing over it and flying out on the ground.
Mac
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Post by Mac »

Yes Dusty you are correct. Mine are set at 1 degree. One of my tabs had the hole drilled about 1/8 inch different from the other one and it was very noticable how the ski hung from the plane.

It only took us a couple hours to rig properly and that included replacing the cables.

Mac
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