ALASKA AIRMEN'S ASSOCIATION FORUMS

What happens when you float plane pilots have the wrong undercarriage on when you arrive somewhere? Does it damage floats to land on ice? What happens in the the thaw if you have skis on and ice has melted? Do you carry spare types of undercarriage with you at these times of year?
Judith UK

Judith,

Most of the transitional times between hard water and open water happen roughly around the same time from year to year, so a decision is made by each pilot/operator based on the type of flying needed in the immediate future. I have seen ski planes land on most surfaces with only minor wear to the bottoms and I have seen floatplanes operate off of ice covered lakes and snow covered glaciers. Most operators have several aircraft ready with the differing gear by late fall or early spring. Many aircraft can also be fitted with hydraulic actuated wheel-skis to cover several landing scenarios.

Thanks for that info - I did think it would be something like that but glad to have it confirmed.