8.50 Air Trac or Desser Tundra / 7GCBC

[funkydrum]

Team,

Long time listener, first time caller....

I have purchased a set of ABI wheels with 8.50 Air Trac tires mounted, to replace the 6" tires with pants on my 7GCBC.

I 'was' planning on just changing tires to Desser 8.50 Tundra, but this deal came my way. I fly quite a bit of turf, but still plenty of asphalt.

Should I just fly the Air Tracs until worn, OR is there compelling reason (ride quality) to swap early? Air Tracs ARE 5# heavier per tire and the ABI wheels are heavier than the magnesium Clevelands, which is not helping my minimal useful load.

Thoughts ?

 

[JackC]

The stock 6x6s on my 7AC work great and most of my runways are turf, great to fair (ish) condition.

I’d say the place these planes see the most impact and the best place to upgrade your ground ride is in the tailwheel

 

[Bob Turner]

I think I will second that.

But be advised, I have always railed against big tires on airplanes without a primary mission demanding them.
My reasons track FAA findings - longer takeoff roll, lower climb and cruise performance, seriously degraded crosswind capability, and reduced roll response.

They are great if your mission is sand bars full of rocks 6" in diameter or so. And they will reduce your landing rollout.
And they may be good if you have gopher or fire ant problems.

If your ego needs big tires, that, for me, is a valid reason.