Skis

Hey Don,

Did you ever find any help with the AWB 2500 ski install? 

Chad

Hey Guys,

I have a stinson 108 and i am super interested in getting some straight skis put on. I cant find any stcs for the 108 except wipair.

Any luck or advice?

I do have some schematics given to me by a guy in Fairbanks who has his stinson on federals. however his is a -1, -2, or -3 i believe.

Thanks

Jon,

If you google Stinson 108 type certificate it tells you all the approved ski models. It is under landing gear accessories for all models. Listed under Federal skis are models A2500,A2500A, A3500,A3500A, AWA 2500, AWB 2500. Also lists Callair S-5 skis and a Wesco model(never heard of those ones). Don

Jon,

Another note. A STC is not required if the ski model you are using is listed on the type certificate. Don

I just added all the stuff I have on Skis to the Knowledge base 

https://stinsonowners.org/knowledge-base/ski-and-such/

Don, 

I fly all winter season on skis here in Alaska. Been doing so for seven years with my 108-2. I found the best production ski for all conditions are the Aero 3000, with HDPE skins extended 1 1/2” to 2 1/2” beyond the original edges. These skis have a profile that is a little shorter and yet wider than the Federals and much shorter than Landis. The key advantage of short and wide is turnability. Basically, you can turn around tighter in all snow conditions. Often, in the deep stuff, I  have to depart in the tracks I made on arrival so, this requires climbing out and manually pushing the tail around 180*. The Aero ski wont fight you on this maneuver. 

The 337 field approval was no problem as many 108’s before me had these installed in the past. 

If you find a pair of these and need help, I can send you all my rigging info and  a copy of the 337 as well. 

If you are set on the Federals, it will be fine for most conditions, however, you should take caution in deep powder. At the very least, get the HDPE skins installed, this mod alone is well worth the effort to any ski.

Steve

@domurray

I have a set of A2500A federals with plastic bottoms, Stinson gear leg clamps for ski rigging and an Aero tail ski I haven't used in a few years. They need new rigging, readily available from Aero Ski.   If anybody is really interested.  Paul N.    Lowell, Mi.

Steve,

I bet yours performs good on the Aero 3000 set up. I installed AWB 2500 skis on my Stinson last season and I am still putting them through different conditions. The hydraulics are a compromise from a straight ski but it sure is nice to taxi up to the fuel pump. Lots of slush here in MN this year and deep snow, so we will see how they do. They do have plastic bottoms installed also which certainly helps. Don

@stinsono

Thanks for posting the ski info Will. Here are the drawings to add to your data base for installation of Federal AWB 2500 skis.  

Just a reminder that all federal skis listed in the TCDS , with the exception of the AWB wheel skis, require a ski axle. The ski axles are the same as the heavier duty axles on the -3. If you plan on installing skis on a -0,-1 or -2, you will have to be sure to change the axles if it has not already been done. Univair is real proud of those axles. You might be better off finding used -3 gear legs with the axles already installed, as the old axle may be a real bugger to get off without causing damage. 

You can tell the difference between axles in that the -3 has a smaller inside diameter (thicker tubing wall) than the others. I don't have that number right now so if anybody just happens to know what that ID is, please chime in. For a more accurate number, the measurement should probably be taken at the end opposite of the wheel retaining nut.

@bob-picard

Bob,

You are entirely correct. I ended up buying a set of -3 gear from Earl Allen   to replace my -2 gear. Was much easier than trying to remove the axels after 70 + years.

@prnicholls

Hey If you still have those skis I would be interested. 

Thanks

Sorry that last message was for Paul In MI. 

Thanks again to everyone on here for their help and insight. I totally overlooked the Type certificate approvals and you are absolutely right. So now I am on the hunt for federal 2500s. Thanks again for your info Bob, Super helpful. 

@prnicholls I know this an old post but I am interested in the gear leg clamps. Do you still have them or any pictures of them.