The FAA categorizes skis as plain or combination — plain being straight fixed skis and combination being a ski mounted around a wheel. Combination skis are either retractable or penetration skis. Penetration skis are fixed around the wheel, which sticks out below to allow for landings on pavement. Skis are generally made from composite and metal, but there are also wood skis.
Airplane Skis
Key Takeaways:
- Airplane skis are categorized as plain (straight, fixed) or combination (mounted around a wheel), with combination skis further divided into retractable or penetration types.
- Straight skis are simple, light, and inexpensive (under $5,000) but can be cumbersome for ground handling and require time to install/remove.
- Retractable skis offer full flexibility for landing on various surfaces (runways, snow, ice) but are significantly more expensive ($20,000-$30,000) and add substantial weight (100+ pounds).
- Penetration skis provide a compromise, allowing good ground handling on both snow and pavement at a moderate cost ($5,000-$10,000) without the high weight or maintenance of retractable systems.
Key takeaways sponsored by Aviator Pro | Start Your Training ->
See a mistake? Contact us.
