Fluidine Hydraulic Ski Installation

[Kelly Purcell]

Have an opportunity to purchase Fluidine 2200 hydraulic skiis . Does anyone know if these skiis are approved for 1953 Cessna 170 B.
ANy help with this is appreciated. Best Regards
Kelly

[pdb]

They aren't listed in the Cessna 170 TCDS so you would need to find out if there is an an applicable STC or go the now difficult field approval process.

[pdb]

The Association has an STC for Fluidyne C2200 skis for use on the 17OB. Look in the members only section. You are a member aren't you? Might be a good time to join if you are not.

http://tinyurl.com/pkz69hq

[hilltop170]

To be clear, what is in the library is a copy of a Form 337 Field Approval with the Block 3 sign-off by the FAA which is a one-time approval for the installation on that one particular airplane. It is possible to use that approved data as a basis of approval for another installation IF THE FAA AGREES TO IT. There will have to be another Field Approval made for another installation, but since it has already been done, it should go thru. I would try it.

There is no requirement to install the skiis or even to own the skis before you get a Field Approval. In fact, you are always supposed to get the Field Approval BEFORE they are installed to make sure it will be approved before any work is done and money spent. The FAA only gives approval FOR the installation, it is up to your mechanic to INSTALL them properly and sign off the installation in your logs. Go ahead and try to get the FA from your FSDO before you buy the skiis and if they give you one, then buy the skiis. Good luck.

[pdb]

Thanks for the correction Richard..... I was a bit too hasty.

[hilltop170]

No problem Pete, I just wanted Kelly to go in the right direction with this and not assume he was good to go. There is still a lot of legwork for him to do if he chooses to proceed.

[flyboy122]

How is the FAA on 337's for skis? I'm slowly cobbling together a straight ski setup for my 170B, but recent scuttlebutt on the net (which never lies, right?) is that the FAA has gotten pretty stingy on field approvals for skis.

DEM

[GAHorn]

Not trying to be antagonistic,... but, IMO, it would be best to ask that question directly to your FAA-FSDO ... if you want a straight answer instead of heresay.

[hilltop170]

How is the FAA on 337's for skis? I'm slowly cobbling together a straight ski setup for my 170B, but recent scuttlebutt on the net (which never lies, right?) is that the FAA has gotten pretty stingy on field approvals for skis.

DEM

I have obtained Field Approvals for installing skiis on two different planes and had no trouble at all. I had all the paper work correct and complete well in advance of the installations and the Feds were very accommodating. That was years ago but if you have the paper in order you will have the best chance of getting approval.

As I stated a few posts above, the approval, whatever it is whether STC or Field Approval, should be obtained before money is spent and definitely before installation. The FAA gets upset when the modification is already installed and then is asked to approve it. They have the final say on approval so it might prevent a lot of anxiety to turn in the paper work now find out. If there are problems you can try to work them out and maybe by the time you have them ready to use they will be approved as well. Good luck.