Definition

Noun: An aircraft that is fitted with skis instead of, or in addition to, wheels, enabling it to take off from and land on snow or ice.

Usage

The term "ski-plane" is a compound noun used specifically to describe the type of aircraft and its unique landing capability. It is typically used in contexts related to aviation, wilderness travel, polar exploration, or regions with permanent or seasonal snow cover.

Examples

• The rescue team used a ski-plane to reach the stranded hikers on the glacier.
• In Alaska, ski-planes are a common sight, providing vital transportation to remote areas during winter.
• The expedition's supplies were flown in by ski-plane.

Advanced Usage

• The term can be used attributively (like an adjective) to modify other nouns.
  • Example: "They operate a ski-plane service for tourists."

Variants and Related Words

• Ski-equipped plane: A descriptive phrase with the same meaning as "ski-plane."
• Bush plane: A general term for a small aircraft used in remote regions; a bush plane be equipped with skis, floats, or oversized tires.

Synonyms

• Snowplane (less common)
• Aircraft on skis

Notes

• "Ski-plane" refers specifically to the aircraft as a whole unit designed for snow operations. The individual skis themselves are called "landing skis" or "aircraft skis."

Noun

1. an airplane equipped with skis so it can land on a snowfield