Federal AWB 2500 Wheel-ski

[Roesbery]

Any of you folks have a copy of Federal Instln Dwg 11R549 or know where to find it????

[yukontools]

I will look to see if I have the installation paperwork in my stuff. I can take some pics of mine and e-mail them to you. Do you have the pump installed yet? When I switch over from tundra tires it takes about an hour to put my small wheels on and the skis. Hook up the lines, add fluid, bleed and off you go.

[Green Bean]

I have the drawings. Give me a call. 907-345-7370

[GAHorn]

I have the drawings. Give me a call. 907-345-7370

Donate a set to the Association! Send me a copy for the library!

[brianwalch]

I know this is an old post, but I have a friend looking at these skis - is there an STC for the AWB 2500?

[jrenwick]

I know this is an old post, but I have a friend looking at these skis - is there an STC for the AWB 2500?

The first place to ask would be Wipaire, http://www.wipaire.com/.

[N3243A]

I know this is an old post, but I have a friend looking at these skis - is there an STC for the AWB 2500?

No STC required. Installation of the AWB 2500 skis covered by the C-170 Type certificate.

[hilltop170]

Installation can be accomplished by following AC 43-13-2A, Chapter 5.

[minton]

F. Atlee Dodge has the cable/spring brackets. You still need a "Field Approval" for them as of last month when I spoke to Steve.

One further note: A/C 43.13-2B only references Cub type landing gear installations. I would expect Whip may have more current installation information. When the 43.13 was updated in 1998 the Fuzz chose not to include Cessna type installations even though they were the ones causing most of the accidents due to the forward bungee/springs were mounted wrong (at the landing gear leg). Go figure??

Again, Just my humble opinion.

[futr_alaskaflyer]

So...say one has found not one but two sets of AWB 2500 wheel skis, both previously rigged for a PA-18. What would be involved in setting them up for a 170 in terms of having to source different parts from Wipaire, AtleeDodge, etc.

Would I lose my sanity in short order?

[hilltop170]

Richard-
If you have found two sets of AWB2500 skis in good condition, for a fair price, buy them. There is always a good market for them. This will be a fun project to work on but you should make sure you have or can obtain all the components before you start.

Since AWBs were designed for the L-19, they most likely came with L-19 rigging when new. I would guess the skis you have found are not complete for a Cessna installation. The biggest problem you're going to have is finding the stub axles that attach the ski pedestal to the landing gear and the positioner arm that attaches the positioner to the landing gear. The NOS set I found 15 years ago (for $2500) had all the L-19 rigging with it in the original crate which I did not use but kept just in case I ever needed them. I later sold the L-19 rigging about 5 years ago to a 170 owner who used it on his plane. He offered $1000 for the rigging/stub axles and I was stunned. So they probably won't be cheap today. It just may be possible that Air Repair or maybe Wipaire still has some stub axles/positioner arms for the AWBs. Otherwise it may be a struggle to find some. The positioner arms can be fabricated out of 1/4" bar stock so they should not be a big problem. Just be careful to position the holes in EXACTLY the right position as they establish the ski up and down angles. Using an original to match-mark the holes would be the best bet.

The aircraft ski fittings, check cables, check cable attach tabs, springs, hydraulic hoses/valve, bolts etc are not hard to fabricate or check with Steve at Atlee Dodge. They have everything in stock except the fabricated cables and hoses but can make those if you give them the lengths. I would suggest Atlee springs instead of bungees as they last a long time and the spring rate does not change with temp or age. The springs can break so always run the front check cable thru the spring so if it breaks, it is constrained and won't beat up the side of your plane and ski. An FAA Form 337 field approval will still be required for the installation of Atlee's aircraft ski fittings and springs but the skiis are on the TCDS so they are a log book entry.

I put a 4-way valve on my Cub that allowed actuating both skiis at the same time or one at a time in case you need to turn sharp in deep/soft snow (both down, both up, left up for left turn, right up for right turn). Select both up to retract skiis if one is down or both down to lower the other ski if one is down.They can safely be actuated on the ground without damage.

Hope some of this helps, good luck.

[N3188A]

I realize this is an old post but I'm installing AWB-2500A skis and am looking for drawings - WipAir doesn't have them. The year of manufacture is not listed on the skis so I'm looking for both 11R549G and 11R889 drawings.