Heath Skis

[swoeric]

Has anybody ever used Heath 725 skis pros cons value?



thank you
Eric

[Clark]

Re: Heath Skis

I know its been years since you started this thread, however, I have acquired a set of Heath skis with my project and am curious about them. I will have to check on what model # they are. But if anyone sees this, I would appreciate what ever information you can provide or cyber spots with more information. CF

[flylo]

Re: Heath Skis

I learned to fly years ago on a set of those & know where the plane is. Do you have the tail ski? If so don't use it as on ice you can't pull back on the yoke to brake. What do you need to know. Heath was 20 miles from me. Just a tip if you leave the plave outside use dog food bags waxy side down to keep from freezing into the snow.

[astjp2]

Re: Heath Skis

Or put on Ptex bottoms...

[Clark]

Re: Heath Skis

Well, I unfamiliar with skis and have no idea, if or when the time should ever come, on how to install them correctly. I see Pictures where peoples skis have wires attached; these came with no wires or signs of any ever having been attached. I do not have a tail skid. I so far have found out nothing about he Heath Ski's. No pros or con's, nothing. I have long thought skis would be great fun. I am in need of a complete education on skis and any direction on how to get started, where to find technical help or a manual for these skis would be appreciated. I am still familiarizing myself with the project and am sitting on my hands to keep from taking anything apart or committing myself to work without knowing how to get myself back out of a jamb. Seeing as there is so little information available I have just been wondering if these were of any value to work with.

[Clark]

Re: Heath Skis

(Deleted:same as above)

[flylo]

Re: Heath Skis

We had UHMW bottoms & sprayed the bottoms with PAM cooking spray & still needed the dog food bags. I'd get on the net & find how to rig them. They are much more forgiving than landing on pavement & a total blast! Use the tailwheel as a brake by pulling the yoke back as much as needed. I still have a set for a Tcraft & a set for ultralights. Best flying there is. The old timers if they were out overnght would drain the oil & put it on the stove so it was warm & the plane started in the morning.

[Clark]

Re: Heath Skis

Thanks, Eric. I'll keep looking and Ill remember the dog food bags, UHMW and PAM.

[PA1195]

Re: Heath Skis

We in the north fly skis every winter. Here's some helpful info:

http://content.aviation-safety-bureau.com/allmembers/ac-43-13-2b/sections/ski-installations.php

http://www.fadodge.com/fad_pdfs/ski%20rigging.pdf?phpMyAdmin=EsjPx8hgioQlsa8ztqFncHAgdU4

https://www.aasfonline.org/wp-content/uploads/ski_flying.pdf

https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/seaplane_handbook/media/faa-h-8083-23-4.pdf

When parked frost comes from the ground below the snow. Keeping the skis away by blocking them up helps. Keep snow away from the sides even if blocked up. As Tim mentioned UHMW polyethylene sheet (3/16" is good) can be fastened with rivets or hardware to the bottom to resist frost and sticking. A skeg bar below that made from the same material helps steering and directional control.

There's more but after you read then find out why makes sense and what needs clarification.

Gary

[M Jones]

Re: Heath Skis

Not Heath, but some info on mounting Federal 1500 skis here:

Federal 1500 skis on Taylorcraft

You'll enjoy your skis, have fun.

[Clark]

Re: Heath Skis

Thank You, Gary & M Jones, I think it'll be awhile. I was cleaning the Hangar (40' semi storage trailer) today while setting up wing racks and noticed that the skis have four holes roughly in a square for attaching stanchion to landing gear while "Heath" landing gear "stanchion adapter" for lack of proper terminology attaching to gear axle, it's holes are in a tear drop configuration which don't line up. And I have no attaching hardware. But I am getting a good idea of what I have to work with. Clark

[PA1195]

Re: Heath Skis

How's about some good pictures of the project skis? I take them and put on my iMac desktop (JPEG's I guess). Then use the "Go Advanced" feature available when posting and download them to the post. There's limits on size noted somewhere here.

It might be good for the Taylorcraft record and make for a more meaningful discussion. Some of us will never see Heath skis otherwise.

I didn't do a search here for prior threads so maybe it's already been done.

Gary

[Clark]

Re: Heath Skis

Good idea. I will get a picture to you early next week or maybe Sunday?

[Clark]

Re: Heath Skis

Skis
52" Long
7 5/8 wide
Rectangular hole is: 2 1/16" from either edge
3 19/32" wide center to center
4 1/4" long
[IMG]Jpeg[/IMG] Will add photos, once I figure out how to do it.
[IMG]C:\Users\User1\Pictures\2018-06-19 KADG[/IMG]

[Clark]

Re: Heath Skis

Still trying to post pictures.