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Unlike many of the lower 48 Civil Air Patrol Squadrons, Alaska based
operations rely heavily on ski planes. The Alaska Wing has a number of
different aircraft that are outfitted with skis - but by far - the work
horse is the deHavilland DHC-2 Beaver. |
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By utilizing hydraulic skis, our
aircraft can land on either wheels or skis. Hydraulic pressure is used to
raise the skis to expose the wheels through an opening in the skis (for wheel
landings) or to lower them so that the wheels are above the skis (for
ski landings). |
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This arrangement allows us to land on the snow-covered tundra and the
many frozen lakes. Since wheel-based on-airport landings are virtually
impossible in many regions of Alaska during the winter, ski based aircraft
allow us to safely fulfill our search and rescue mission. |
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But flying an aircraft equipped with skis requires special piloting
skills and training. The skis have a large effect on the weight and
balance of the aircraft by moving the center of gravity (CG) forward.
The pilot must properly compensate for this forward CG or the aircraft
is unstable. |
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Another hazard of ski flying is getting an aircraft stuck in snow or
worst yet - over flow. But with proper training, these dangers can
be avoided. |
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Beaver, DHC 2 ready to remove the skis for the summer |
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New Cessna 172 |
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Cessna 206 |
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Cessna 206 on Floats |
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Cessna 185 on skis, ready to remove for the summer |
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Maintenance facility to maintain all aircraft in the Alaska Wing fleet |
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