andyb Posted February 29, 2016 Report Share Posted February 29, 2016 About 6 weeks ago, I taxied uneventfully, and after waiting for takeoff clearance when I moved I had a flat left main tire. The local FBO (not a FD service center) replaced the tube, which they said had a small pinhole. They were in contact with a respected FD maintenance center when they did the work. Three subsequent flights with no issues. Then, Saturday, went out to fly and in the hangar the same tire was flat again. Any thoughts? While this is kind of a pain, I'm more worried about the tire losing pressure in the air and having a surprise upon landing. Thanks, Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anticept Posted February 29, 2016 Report Share Posted February 29, 2016 If there's a pinhole in a tube, something put it there, and it's probably still embedded in the tire. Be real careful about running your hand on the inside of the tire if you try to find it... sometimes FOD can be really nasty. If it keeps happening, replace the tire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingMonkey Posted February 29, 2016 Report Share Posted February 29, 2016 Could also be the FBO pinched a tiny hole in the new tube when they installed it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Downs Posted February 29, 2016 Report Share Posted February 29, 2016 A couple of years ago I had many flats. I found that the type of tire and the recommended tire pressure was the cause. I changed to the 8 ply tire and 40psi and have not had a flat since. The 8ply tires also wear like iron. They wear even and in my opinion are much better than the originals Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingMonkey Posted February 29, 2016 Report Share Posted February 29, 2016 A couple of years ago I had many flats. I found that the type of tire and the recommended tire pressure was the cause. I changed to the 8 ply tire and 40psi and have not had a flat since. The 8ply tires also wear like iron. They wear even and in my opinion are much better than the originals The 8ply tires DO wear like iron. Ride like it, too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Baker Posted February 29, 2016 Report Share Posted February 29, 2016 A couple of years ago I had many flats. I found that the type of tire and the recommended tire pressure was the cause. I changed to the 8 ply tire and 40psi and have not had a flat since. The 8ply tires also wear like iron. They wear even and in my opinion are much better than the originals Do you have an approval for the 8 ply tire? It was my understanding that they are not approved by Flight Design. I know that switching to a 8 ply tire seems like such a minor change that it shouldn't be a big deal, but the change can have unintended consequences. At least that is what the FAA says when you have a tire with a greater ply rating than approved on a standard category airplane. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Petersburg Posted February 29, 2016 Report Share Posted February 29, 2016 Andy, I had a similar situation. Two flats on the same main. I changed the tire after the first one. The pin hole was on a seam both times. I assumed they were bad tubes. Hopefully that is behind me. Good luck, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anticept Posted February 29, 2016 Report Share Posted February 29, 2016 Do you have an approval for the 8 ply tire? It was my understanding that they are not approved by Flight Design. I know that switching to a 8 ply tire seems like such a minor change that it shouldn't be a big deal, but the change can have unintended consequences. At least that is what the FAA says when you have a tire with a greater ply rating than approved on a standard category airplane. It does have an unintended effect. I suspect you already know this, but the ply rating is part of the suspension system. A thicker or thinner tire will change how the aircraft handles and shock absorption on touchdown. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingMonkey Posted February 29, 2016 Report Share Posted February 29, 2016 It does have an unintended effect. I suspect you already know this, but the ply rating is part of the suspension system. A thicker or thinner tire will change how the aircraft handles and shock absorption on touchdown. And ride in taxi. I have had tire wear issues for a long time, and went to 8ply tires to help, The tires did last a lot longer, but the ride was harsh and noisy so I went back to 6ply. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Baker Posted February 29, 2016 Report Share Posted February 29, 2016 It does have an unintended effect. I suspect you already know this, but the ply rating is part of the suspension system. A thicker or thinner tire will change how the aircraft handles and shock absorption on touchdown. I did know that. I have also heard of mechanics being violated for installing 6 ply tires on airplanes that only 4 ply tires approved on the TCDS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anticept Posted February 29, 2016 Report Share Posted February 29, 2016 Yep. Which sucks, some tires are impossible to find in 4 ply anymore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philip Welsch Posted February 29, 2016 Report Share Posted February 29, 2016 Flight Design Manufacturer Approval (FDMA) No. 091019, Flight Design Document Center, 19 October 2009, documents approval of 400-6 8-ply AERO Classic Premium TT/TUBELESS 2 Grove Pattern tires for all CTSW/CTLS planes. FDMA No. 080410, dated 10 April 2008 covers the 6-ply Aero Classic tire. PRW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingMonkey Posted February 29, 2016 Report Share Posted February 29, 2016 Sweet, thanks Philip! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Downs Posted February 29, 2016 Report Share Posted February 29, 2016 Do I need a letter from FD or a log in the book? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingMonkey Posted February 29, 2016 Report Share Posted February 29, 2016 It looks like a blanket authorization. It only mentions the non-tundra wheels, though... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Lee Posted March 1, 2016 Report Share Posted March 1, 2016 Most of the LOA's are here. There may be some FD still has, but this should cover the majority of people's questions. http://ctflier.com/index.php?/forum/58-flight-design-letters-of-approval/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anticept Posted March 1, 2016 Report Share Posted March 1, 2016 I did an 8 ply on a CT. As MrMorden said, it rides like a taxi. Really uncomfortable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fly Boss Posted March 1, 2016 Report Share Posted March 1, 2016 I did 6 plys on my new CTLS (860LS) because the tires looked like the originals and were very worn. Since I'm so new to this plane, I have little idea if I am feeling a difference with the tundra tires. I can say that the monster retreads sit a little higher than the originals, so the wheel pants do also. This gives me some comfort when worrying about them coming off due to pilot error. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyb Posted March 1, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 1, 2016 Interesting follow up on my issue. FBO that did the prior tube replacement went to the plane to assess new flat. They came to the conclusion that they didn't install properly and that led to pinched tube. They said it was their error. I pointed out that I flew the plane numerous times in between flats, so I questioned that their error caused issue. They insisted it was their error and they fixed it for free. Nice to find such honest people out there! Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Baker Posted March 1, 2016 Report Share Posted March 1, 2016 I disassembled a Matco wheel to change a tire one time that had a football shaped chunk cut out of the tube, there might even have been 2 I don't remember. The tire had been on the airplane for a year with no problems. The tube that was pinched was a light weight tube, and it was difficult to keep from getting the tube pinched. I now only use the heavy tubes when changing a tire. They are much less likely to be pinched on assembly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
procharger Posted March 3, 2016 Report Share Posted March 3, 2016 I am going to fill my tires with expanding foam insulation and forget the tubes?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anticept Posted March 3, 2016 Report Share Posted March 3, 2016 Just cut up some cardboard and put it between the rim and the tubes. Makes it really easy. Roger's method works very well too. Matco published a document based on it: http://static.veracart.com/matco/item_pdfs/3734/document1.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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