Champ on Skis experience

[Rattler 1]

Can anyone tell me how hard snow is on the tail of the aircraft? I see videos and the tail wheel definitely sinks into the snow and looks like the tail drags. Doesn't the fabric wear out? I'm contemplating putting skis on my 7AC.

 

[Tangogawd]

It's not that hard on the tail. In reality, skis are harder on the main gear than the tail. I like using a good quality grease with good washout properties in the tail wheel assy. Aeroshell 22 is plain garbage when it comes to washout. Make sure to keep it well greased and I like to take the tail apart and service it at the end of the season.

You may consider a tail ski. Not necessary on light weight tailed planes such as cubs and t-carts. But the Citabria has a very heavy tail and it takes a lot of speed and power to lift that anchor of a tail out of the snow so you can accelerate. If you can lift the tail with just power while not moving, you should be good without a tail ski.

 

[Rattler 1]

It's not that hard on the tail. In reality, skis are harder on the main gear than the tail. I like using a good quality grease with good washout properties in the tail wheel assy. Aeroshell 22 is plain garbage when it comes to washout. Make sure to keep it well greased and I like to take the tail apart and service it at the end of the season.

You may consider a tail ski. Not necessary on light weight tailed planes such as cubs and t-carts. But the Citabria has a very heavy tail and it takes a lot of speed and power to lift that anchor of a tail out of the snow so you can accelerate. If you can lift the tail with just power while not moving, you should be good without a tail ski.

Thanks for the info. Very helpfull.