Big tires for the 7ECA

I think ours are Goodyear, but I will look. I think if weight is the issue, Desser can grind some rubber off. We are at sea level, and the difference in weight between 8:00x4, 8:00x6, and 26” blimp tires was just not noticeable. 85 hp J-3.
 
Bob Turner said:
I think ours are Goodyear, but I will look. I think if weight is the issue, Desser can grind some rubber off. We are at sea level, and the difference in weight between 8:00x4, 8:00x6, and 26” blimp tires was just not noticeable. 85 hp J-3.
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I really appreciate it!

What about drag on the 65hp?
 
Dunno. You mean on the Chief? I have not flown it with big tires.

A good plan is to fly it as-is for a while. If your field is that rough you may want to smooth it out a bit - all of these airplanes were designed for grass/dirt airports. A really rough field will tear your airplane up regardless of the tires.
 
Here is the deal - Grove has an STC for Pipers, from J3 all the way to PA-20, in both 1 1/4" and 1 /12" axles. They are TSO, so getting an approval for a Champ should be no big deal. I have done it locally, and Grove has copies of my 337s.

$3300 today's pricing, not including tires. They are approved for all common sizes.

I really don't know why 8:50s needed an STC on standard Cleveland wheels - they fit, and the only issue is the brake disc may rub on the tire. We ran 8:50s on Cubs and Cessna 180s for years, without worrying about approvals. Good thing the statute of limitations has run out. We never had any problems at all.
 
Bob Turner said:
Here is the deal - Grove has an STC for Pipers, from J3 all the way to PA-20, in both 1 1/4" and 1 /12" axles. They are TSO, so getting an approval for a Champ should be no big deal. I have done it locally, and Grove has copies of my 337s.

$3300 today's pricing, not including tires. They are approved for all common sizes.

I really don't know why 8:50s needed an STC on standard Cleveland wheels - they fit, and the only issue is the brake disc may rub on the tire. We ran 8:50s on Cubs and Cessna 180s for years, without worrying about approvals. Good thing the statute of limitations has run out. We never had any problems at all.
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So like 3k to put the dresser 8.5x6 on good year mechanical disk 6”ers eh?

Also any thoughts on this? https://www.aircraftspruce.com/pages/lg/tirestubes_aeroclassic/aeroClassicSolidtire.php

“Heavy duty” tailwheel for the 2000
 
Tangogawd said:
I can’t find the STC itself. But its held by Northland Aviation in Fairbanks AK.
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Got this yesterday

From Northland aviation

“Negative. The previous owner kept the stc. Its no longer active.”
 
Bob Turner said:
Here is the deal - Grove has an STC for Pipers, from J3 all the way to PA-20, in both 1 1/4" and 1 /12" axles. They are TSO, so getting an approval for a Champ should be no big deal. I have done it locally, and Grove has copies of my 337s.

$3300 today's pricing, not including tires. They are approved for all common sizes.

I really don't know why 8:50s needed an STC on standard Cleveland wheels - they fit, and the only issue is the brake disc may rub on the tire. We ran 8:50s on Cubs and Cessna 180s for years, without worrying about approvals. Good thing the statute of limitations has run out. We never had any problems at all.
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Goodyear wheels with mechanical discs though
 
Bob Turner said:
Yeah, you will be replacing those. Do the research on hydraulic brakes.
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Anyway to keep them? They seem plenty powerful enough for the mission and it would probably be a loooong time before I even wear the pads down
 
Sure. If they pass the AD, you can keep them. If they are cracked, you can get un-cracked wheels on eBay for a grand each - but since so many have cracked, you will not have any guarantee.

Slowly the fleet is being converted - it is a very expensive proposition, but it changes the personality of the aircraft. Out here, good brakes are not a luxury.

For Grove, you need a field approval, plus some way to buy the parts. Grove cannot sell them for use on a certificated aircraft. For Cleveland (STC) it is probably cheaper to sell your bird and buy one already converted.

We need a better way - an AC 23-27 with more teeth, so we can have safer aircraft without having to jump through so many hoops.
 
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