goodyear flight custom III's vs flight special II's

[eman1200]

do we know if the flight custom III's 606C66-8 are suitable replacements for the flight special II's 606c61 B1?  I have the special II's on my '75F mains now but seem to recall the custom III's lasting longer.  tyvm.

[Hank]

I have plain Flight Customs on my C. Upgrading to the -II or -III seems to raise the pricing significantly, and the only benefit I remember from their web page is a higher speed rating. Memory says the FCIII is rated to roll down the runway not only above Vg, but actually at my cruise speed . . . .

[varlajo]

I have FCIII retreads from Wilkerson on the 71E. Great tires!! 

[KSMooniac]

I don't think you'll wear out any tires unless you do nothing but touch n goes. Seems my tubes fail long before I run out of tread, or the tires will age and crack between the treads. I stopped buying the premium versions long ago.

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[Hank]

10 minutes ago, KSMooniac said:

I don't think you'll wear out any tires unless you do nothing but touch n goes. Seems my tubes fail long before I run out of tread, or the tires will age and crack between the treads.

My mains (plain Flight Custom) date from the winter of 2011-2012, and are holding up well.

Now that I'm based at a field with a taxiway, and don't have to backtaxi before every takeoff and after every landing, my nose tire is lasting more than 5-6 years, too. The current one (Condor) was installed in January '17 or '18, and is holding up well.

[PT20J]

Any tire is legal so long as it meets the size and ply specs in the TCDS.

For Goodyear tires:

Flight Custom III has deeper tread and a Kevlar belt and will last longer.

Flight Special II is cheaper.

Usual recommendation is for Flight Special II unless you do a lot of landings. Then FC III is probably the better buy.

https://www.goodyearaviation.com/resources/pdf/Aviation-Databook-2022.pdf

[Jim Peace]

On 3/20/2025 at 7:07 PM, bluehighwayflyer said:

  I run FCIIIs with Michelin Air Stop tubes, personally.  The tires matter a lot less than the tubes do, I think.  

I have a C model and coming up on tires and tubes....I used to have air stop tubes until a mx shop messed them all up.  (long story)...

how often are you servicing the tires with air with those tubes?  I remember doing it about twice a year at most....maybe less....that is with a lot of flying...100 hours a year...

Thank you 

I reed to add pictures but the website said I exceeded my limit....so I guess I can never add pictures again....why do we pay?

Edited yesterday at 07:11 PM by Jim Peace

[Hank]

I have Air Stops in my C, I generally add air twice a year, spring and fall when the temps change significantly. 

Last week, our highs were in low 60s; early this week was 80; yesterday was 52-54° from midnight until sunset last night: 32° this morning,  and will be in high 79s for the weekend. Makes it hard keeping car and plane tires properly filled . . . .

[Rick Junkin]

I’ve heard good things about Desser Elite retreads and have one ready to go on the nose. I plan to put them on the mains when the time comes. +1 for AirStop tubes.

[varlajo]

One thing about FCIIIs compared to Aero Hawks. FCIII is quite substantially narrower. I am planning to keep the good ol' Hawk on the nose as I have a sneaky suspicion that a wider tire is likely to have better linear stability. 

[Jim Peace]

On 3/21/2025 at 5:15 PM, Hank said:

I have Air Stops in my C, I generally add air twice a year, spring and fall when the temps change significantly. 

Last week, our highs were in low 60s; early this week was 80; yesterday was 52-54° from midnight until sunset last night: 32° this morning,  and will be in high 79s for the weekend. Makes it hard keeping car and plane tires properly filled . . . .

how do you have air stops on your C.  I just learned that the mains cannot come with an angled valve stem for air stop tubes.  Do you have straight or angled stems?  or maybe you have different wheels.  One of the shops down here in Florida messed it up so bad I have one angled and one straight after paying for two new tubes.  The straight valve is a pain in the ass to service.  I feel I am going to break the stem off every time I bend it out.

Archive.zip

[Andy95W]

Jim- @Jim Peace- I wholeheartedly recommend the tubes below.  Made from the same rubber as the Airstop tubes, but with the angled stem for the old wheel style like ours.  Good quality, and I only put air in twice a year.  Once at annual, and one at the first cold snap in November.

https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/lgpages/aero_06-03303.php

[Jim Peace]

25 minutes ago, Andy95W said:

Jim- @Jim Peace- I wholeheartedly recommend the tubes below.  Made from the same rubber as the Airstop tubes, but with the angled stem for the old wheel style like ours.  Good quality, and I only put air in twice a year.  Once at annual, and one at the first cold snap in November.

https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/lgpages/aero_06-03303.php

Thank you....looking now.....I also have super hawk tires on and was thinking of other choices....although my super hawks have been great....just now getting a small flat spot after almost 500 landings....

any issues with the valve stem being to long?  I have read some reviews about that on those....

[Bolter]

Has anyone had an actual flat with the FC 3's?  I would think the stiffer sidewall has benefits in case of a flat, versus the lower rated tires.

-dan

[Andy95W]

1 hour ago, Jim Peace said:

 

any issues with the valve stem being to long?  I have read some reviews about that on those....

The valve stem is perfect for the pre-1965 wheels like our ‘64s have.  No part of it even comes close to the 3-screw dustcover on the wheel.  If I had a picture I’d post it, if I get out to the hangar tomorrow I will.

I believe Richard @Skates97 recommended them to me.

Edited yesterday at 08:40 PM by Andy95W

[kortopates]

Has anyone had an actual flat with the FC 3's?  I would think the stiffer sidewall has benefits in case of a flat, versus the lower rated tires.
-dan

Yes, had an Ovation student hit the brake unintentionally right at touch down, rather than just rudder, which of course instantly locks up the wheel. Next the aircraft is pulling uncontrollably to the flat tire side.
Since it was right at touchdown, we couldn’t we going any faster and still be on the runway yet the tire still protected the rim and the gear doors. i was pleasantly surprised that all we needed was was a new tire and tube.

BTW, This comes from not having the heals on the floor enough back that you’re just moving the rudder pedals.

I’ve had a J student that liked to show off making the first turn off with brakes rather than landing technique but the FCIII just flat spots some without causing a flat on the lighter J model.

It’s rated the same, 6 ply, but it’s the extra rubber is the reason i continue to buy them, plus i am still a student pilot after 5K hours


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[Bolter]

25 minutes ago, kortopates said:

Yes, had an Ovation student hit the brake unintentionally right at touch down, rather than just rudder, which of course instantly locks up the wheel. Next the aircraft is 

Conveniently this experience was a long body, so very applicable. 

-dan

[EricJ]

1 hour ago, kortopates said:

I’ve had a J student that liked to show off making the first turn off with brakes rather than landing technique but the FCIII just flat spots some without causing a flat on the lighter J model.

It’s rated the same, 6 ply, but it’s the extra rubber is the reason i continue to buy them, plus i am still a student pilot after 5K hours

My airplane had FCIIIs on it when I bought it, and one had a huge flat spot.   I had noticed that unless you looked at the tire, you wouldn't have known there was a flat spot, since it still rolled smooth and didn't vibrate at all on takeoff or landing.    I only recently replaced that tire, so now I've replaced both the MLG tires with new FCIIIs since the old ones behaved so well.