Running ski's on solid aluminium axles vs steel axles?

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Slipinonfinal

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As a general discussion I'm asking anyones opinion here on running straight ski's on solid aluminum axles vs steel axles. I'm of the opinion that steel would be a better choice for the fact that the amount of stress put on the axles from ski's is better handled with steel axle's.

Steel axles are not available from ACA and have not been for a long time.

I believe there are folks out there running Cessna steel axles on their citabria's with ski's.

Any experiences or opinions here would be appreciated, thank's,

Brian
 
Slipinonfinal said:
As a general discussion I'm asking anyones opinion here on running straight ski's on solid aluminum axles vs steel axles. I'm of the opinion that steel would be a better choice for the fact that the amount of stress put on the axles from ski's is better handled with steel axle's.

Steel axles are not available from ACA and have not been for a long time.

I believe there are folks out there running Cessna steel axles on their citabria's with ski's.

Any experiences or opinions here would be appreciated, thank's,

Brian
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I believe the axles are standard Cleveland/Grove parts and interchangeable among various aircraft types.
 
If you have the older welded axles, toss them in the trash especially for skis.

Yes, Cessna axles fit just fine, you just have to bush two of the bolt holes in the axle flange.

As a ski guy in Alaska, I feel that solid aluminum axles are sufficient for skis on a citabria sized plane. But I also don't beat the crap out of my plane so theres that
 
Thanks for the info and yes I did have the welded steel axles and they are history mostly from a corrosion stand point. Ya I don't plan on doing 20 kt cross wind landings or anything crazy like that so I should be ok.

Just going out to steal somebody's ice fishing spot, so nothing too tactical.

I'm also up here in the northland flying out of Birchwood. Cheers, Brian
 
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