Aviat Aircraft, which makes the Husky, has a new take on cross country skiing.
The skis give up a few knots in cruise speed, but they convert virtually any clearing or frozen pond into a runway with any heading desired, company officials note. The takeoff run stretches a little depending on snow conditions, but landings are shorter and any type of snow is fair game for landings. The only potential problem would be a high drift, but those are rare on open fields, away from trees.
Flying with skis is like flying with floats in that most of the fun is in taking off and landing, especially when there is no else in the pattern, officials add.
Fixed skis are made of fiberglass, can be installed in about an hour and cost $8,000. Fluidyne retractable skis, also made of fiberglass, run $15,000.
For more information: AviatAircraft.com or 307-885-3151.
