Tire Recommendations

[NotarPilot]

I'm going to be needing new tires for the mains in the near future and was wondering what brand would be best.  I see McCreary offers the Air Hawk tire for about $75 thtough aircraft Spruce but on the upper end you have the Michelin Air Tire for $198 a tire.  I don't have a problem getting the nicer tires if they're worth the money, but are they?

I fly in SoCal so I'll likely be landing on mostly dry runways.

I'd like to hear what other people are buying and why.

[jetdriven]

here is some good reading for you.  Goodyear FC-III and Desser retreads (On Goodyear FC cores) sound good.  Some Beechtalk guys have posted a thousand landings on one set of FC-III's on a Bonanza.

 

 

http://csobeech.com/tires.html

[stevesm20b]

I installed Goodyear Flight Special II's on my Mooney last August and have about 75 landings on them and they still look like new.

[Guest]

The Goodyear FC III are awesome, excellent wet traction and  seem to last forever. I've been running them for a long time. 

[NotarPilot]

Looks like I'll be going with the Goodyear F/C III.  Thanks for the info.

[jetdriven]

There is a thread on here that talks about the III on the nose gear. May have a clearance problem.   We went with the FS-II on the nose to be sure.

[Guest]

Something to think about 

Anytime I change tires on a retract I ALWAYS do a quick retract test and check clearance, only takes a few exta minutes and it's on jacks anyway. I know a guy that did not do this years ago, he installed one new main retread took off landed gear up,  the darn tire got stuck in the well. 

 

[fantom]

FCIII on mains, and FCII on nose.

[MooneyMitch]

I have Flight Custom 3's on the mains and the nose.  I have no clearance issues. 

[kerry]

I just put air trac tires on my plane.  They seem nice.  I bought them from Desser because of the price.  $50 range with free shipping.

[steelerp]

Might be too late to do you any good.  I agree that GY FC III are a great choice.  use the Michelin Air Stop tubes.  Great combination.  i would never buy Michelin tires again.  Did that once and they did not wear good at all.   Rick

[Cabanaboy]

How do you know what size tube????

[jetdriven]

the tube is a 5.00-5 just like the nose tire, and the tube needs a 90 degree stem, such as a TR-67.  Mains are 6.00-6

[M20F]

Most GA tires will dry rot before they wear out so retreads are IMHO the way to go. 

[NotarPilot]

Well, annual time is in a little over two weeks and I am going to purchase my tires. Does anyone know if I need the straight stems or bent stems for the tubes on the mains? I see the bent stem comment for the nose gear. I have a 78 J model if it makes a difference.

[wiseng]

Its the retreads you have to worry about on the clearance issue both for the mains and front. If I were going to run them I would check the clearance after installation. I run Condors and have about 6 years on them. No visible cracking tread is still good. Airplane is hangared.

[jetdriven]

straight tire valve on the old tube, I just verified that.

[Rustler]

Just put a set of Desser Elites on the '80 J. 600.6 6-ply on the mains and 500.5 6-ply on the nose. To be sure, we retracted them before returning the plane to service and had no problem. If I recall, someone once had problems retracting the "monster" retread but not these. The tread depth is excellent, and the workmanship on the tire looks good.

[knute]

I have about 400hrs on a set of Desser Elites (same sizes) on my 66E, and they're still going strong. Great tire for the money.

Just put a set of Desser Elites on the '80 J. 600.6 6-ply on the mains and 500.5 6-ply on the nose. To be sure, we retracted them before returning the plane to service and had no problem. If I recall, someone once had problems retracting the "monster" retread but not these. The tread depth is excellent, and the workmanship on the tire looks good.

[N201MKTurbo]

I use Air Hawks because they are cheap, I fly about 125 hours a year and usually get about 5 years out of mains and 10 years out of nose tires. I replace tubes on inspection, usually get about 15 years out of tubes.

[Hank]

Condor nose tire, Flight Custom IIs for the mains.

It seems the difference between II and III is mostly the ground speed rating. IIs are good up to 120 mph which is Vge, and IIIs will handle 160-170 mph. Can Mooney tires have a controlled touchdown above 120?

[kortopates]

It seems the difference between II and III is mostly the ground speed rating. IIs are good up to 120 mph which is Vge, and IIIs will handle 160-170 mph. Can Mooney tires have a controlled touchdown above 120?

Speed rating really has nothing to do with it. The advantage of the Flight Custom III is the increased tread depth. Tire longevity is mostly the result of tread depth. This was born out by Aviation Consumers simulated landings and skid testing where these tires won due to their increased tread depth. I can't find the reference, (it could be in the original aviation consumer article) but I recall the III's where developed in response to flight schools and tested by Embry Riddle whom claimed 40% more landings from previous tires. Goodyear advertises a more conservative 20% more landings.

With regards to tubes, a buytl tube is what is desired to reduce leakage. These are marketed by several manufacturers under different names but all perform the same; i.e. Leakguard, Airstop etc.

I am on my second set of FC III's after getting over 800 hours on the first set with lots of landings.