26 Good Years or 29 Airhawks?
Thu May 16, 2013 12:27 pm
26 Good Years or 29 Airhawks?
Bushwheels do not fit my mission or tire budget right now. I have a line on inexpensive Airhawks or Goodyears for my C180. Looking for feedback from anyone who has experience with either or both arrangements. I know that there are many tire threads, but I can't find anything comparing these two setups.
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Thu May 16, 2013 1:16 pm
Re: 26 Good Years or 29 Airhawks?
Glad you asked this. These are the two options I'll be looking at when I get the deal done on my new plane.
Thu May 16, 2013 1:18 pm
Re: 26 Good Years or 29 Airhawks?
No experience with either but the 26'' Goodyears would be the cheapest option. If you do the 29'' Airhawks you need either the Gar-Aero adapters or the AKBW 10'' wheels. I'm sure you probably already know that. Another thing to consider is the smooth Goodyears will pick up less rocks than the Airhawks with treads... unless they're shaved off. Goodyears will be lighter also.
Thu May 16, 2013 1:24 pm
Re: 26 Good Years or 29 Airhawks?
I was just thinking about this the other day too. I know a couple of Skywagons on 26 Good Years, but you don't see too many of them.
Thu May 16, 2013 1:29 pm
Re: 26 Good Years or 29 Airhawks?
If you are in fact talking about Airhawk 29 x 11 x 10 tires compared to the Goodyear 26 inch blimp tires, there's little comparison.
The 29's are MUCH larger in diameter. They're also wider, so have a bigger footprint. THey are also HEAVY. Is your plan to use the Gar Aero wheel adapters or buy AK Bushwheel 10 inch wheels? The Gar Aeros (now sold by Seaplanes North) are still not STC'd, so you'll have to field approve them. Get in touch with your mechanic and verify that he/she thinks that can actually be done in your district. Seaplanes North offers the 4 ply 29/11/10 tires shaved down to remove some weight, and most of the tread.
The Goodyear 26 inch tires will also require a field approval. They wear like iron. They are not VERY much larger in diameter and slightly wider than a set of GOODYEAR 8.50 x 6.00 tires. I emphasize Goodyears in this because the McReary 8.50 x 6.00 tires are somewhat different shaped than the Goodyears. The 26 inch Goodyear blimp tires wear well, and they work fine. No tread to fling shit at your tail. They too are heavy, but not as heavy as the 29's.
I've flown both on 185s, and both work just fine. Mostly it depends on how much weight you can tolerate in a tire and what your mission is.
The 29s are going to be a LOT more expensive at least initially, since you'll need either wheel adapters or new wheels. New AD Bushwheel 10 inch wheels are a fine piece of work, but not cheap.
Once you're set up, though tires aren't that expensive.
MT V
The 29's are MUCH larger in diameter. They're also wider, so have a bigger footprint. THey are also HEAVY. Is your plan to use the Gar Aero wheel adapters or buy AK Bushwheel 10 inch wheels? The Gar Aeros (now sold by Seaplanes North) are still not STC'd, so you'll have to field approve them. Get in touch with your mechanic and verify that he/she thinks that can actually be done in your district. Seaplanes North offers the 4 ply 29/11/10 tires shaved down to remove some weight, and most of the tread.
The Goodyear 26 inch tires will also require a field approval. They wear like iron. They are not VERY much larger in diameter and slightly wider than a set of GOODYEAR 8.50 x 6.00 tires. I emphasize Goodyears in this because the McReary 8.50 x 6.00 tires are somewhat different shaped than the Goodyears. The 26 inch Goodyear blimp tires wear well, and they work fine. No tread to fling shit at your tail. They too are heavy, but not as heavy as the 29's.
I've flown both on 185s, and both work just fine. Mostly it depends on how much weight you can tolerate in a tire and what your mission is.
The 29s are going to be a LOT more expensive at least initially, since you'll need either wheel adapters or new wheels. New AD Bushwheel 10 inch wheels are a fine piece of work, but not cheap.
Once you're set up, though tires aren't that expensive.
MT V
Thu May 16, 2013 1:32 pm
Re: 26 Good Years or 29 Airhawks?
The Goodyears wear like iron but will require a 337, whereas the 29"AirHawks have an STC included (or can be purchased for a nominal fee).
I did the 'Field Approval (337)" with the 26" Goodyears out of Sacramento and it was a big pain in the ass.
The Inspector (in Sacramento) suggested Field Approvals for anything weren't going to be possible in the near future.
My approval is using the 6 Bolt Wheels and is overkill (eight pages).
I'm sure somebody on the forum has a copy of a couple page approval using 3 bolt wheels on a 180.
You can use that approval as justification for your application.
Either way, good luck.
I did the 'Field Approval (337)" with the 26" Goodyears out of Sacramento and it was a big pain in the ass.
The Inspector (in Sacramento) suggested Field Approvals for anything weren't going to be possible in the near future.
My approval is using the 6 Bolt Wheels and is overkill (eight pages).
I'm sure somebody on the forum has a copy of a couple page approval using 3 bolt wheels on a 180.
You can use that approval as justification for your application.
Either way, good luck.
'80 A185F
Thu May 16, 2013 1:47 pm
Re: 26 Good Years or 29 Airhawks?
I found a pair of shaved 29 Airhawks (which I hear makes them considerably lighter) with tubes and Gar Aero wheel adapters for a good price. I also found a pair of 26 inch good years for a good price. It's $75.00 for the Gar Aero STC. No STC for the Good Years, but there are several sets that have been installed on 337s, but I hear nightmare stories of obtaining 337s.
I'm leaning towards the Airhawks, as they offer a little more floatation, and I can push my plane past my hangar mates cub with the extra wing height that I gain. Are these tires actually 29 inches outer diameter? I know that the Gar wheel adapters make the tire wider at the rim than the AKBushwheel 10 inch wheel, which probably makes them a little shorter on this setup. AKBushwheel 10 inch wheels are a super sweet, but the cost differential in this case does not make sense for me right now, and I have an extra set of wheels with 8.50s on them.
What new plane did you get Whee? If I go with the airhawks, I'll connect you with the seller of the Good Years if you want.
I'm leaning towards the Airhawks, as they offer a little more floatation, and I can push my plane past my hangar mates cub with the extra wing height that I gain. Are these tires actually 29 inches outer diameter? I know that the Gar wheel adapters make the tire wider at the rim than the AKBushwheel 10 inch wheel, which probably makes them a little shorter on this setup. AKBushwheel 10 inch wheels are a super sweet, but the cost differential in this case does not make sense for me right now, and I have an extra set of wheels with 8.50s on them.
What new plane did you get Whee? If I go with the airhawks, I'll connect you with the seller of the Good Years if you want.
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Thu May 16, 2013 3:03 pm
Re: 26 Good Years or 29 Airhawks?
Don't forget if all you have is the adaptors you will have to add the cost of the 6" wheel... Alot of people forget that part. You may already have a set on the plane but once you Glue them together you no longer have a set to use else were.
Thu May 16, 2013 3:11 pm
Re: 26 Good Years or 29 Airhawks?
Please go take a look at the web site for Seaplanes North. They're pretty specific that they don't have any STCs for their wheel adapters. I'm not saying their bad, I had a set on a Cub for years and ran them on a number of "company" airplanes. They work fine IF you get the adapters glued properly....use LOTS of adhesive...I've seen them fail. And as the man says, once glued, you've used up that set of wheels.
MTV
MTV
Thu May 16, 2013 3:33 pm
Re: 26 Good Years or 29 Airhawks?
They put up an approved model list on their website: http://www.alaskatundratires.com/
In a world of nothing but grass, gravel and extra cash, I would be installing 31 inch bushwheels, but I found the complete Airhawk kit for a fraction of the cost and they appear to be STCd on my ship. I happen to have an extra pair of cleveland three bolt wheels for some 8.50s.
AKBushwheels site says that 29 inch bushwheels are 31 lbs. Is that for one or for two tires? Shaved airhawks are 20 lb per tire, and 7.5 for the wheel adapters. This set up is heavy, but suitable for the short term.
In a world of nothing but grass, gravel and extra cash, I would be installing 31 inch bushwheels, but I found the complete Airhawk kit for a fraction of the cost and they appear to be STCd on my ship. I happen to have an extra pair of cleveland three bolt wheels for some 8.50s.
AKBushwheels site says that 29 inch bushwheels are 31 lbs. Is that for one or for two tires? Shaved airhawks are 20 lb per tire, and 7.5 for the wheel adapters. This set up is heavy, but suitable for the short term.
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Thu May 16, 2013 3:38 pm
Re: 26 Good Years or 29 Airhawks?
I went from 8.50's to 26 on my 185. Chose 26 over 29 to retain my airspeed, which as far as I can tell I did. They are only a little taller and a little wider. 23 squared at 2,500 to 3,500 feet mid 70's, airspeed is typically 145mph indicated - both before and after the switch.
Also I find myself going into paved airports, with no option to land alongside in the turf, once or twice a month - so the "wear like iron" aspect is appealing as well.
You can see the difference here (scroll down about 2/3rds):
http://www.backcountrypilot.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=11730&start=40
There is a big difference how they feel on the ground, a lot more cushy, and that's running 18 psi.
Oh, I was able to detect a small CG shift more to the front, I have to add just a bit more up elevator then before.
MTV, what pressure did you find was good with the blimp tires for off airport use?
Also I find myself going into paved airports, with no option to land alongside in the turf, once or twice a month - so the "wear like iron" aspect is appealing as well.
You can see the difference here (scroll down about 2/3rds):
http://www.backcountrypilot.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=11730&start=40
There is a big difference how they feel on the ground, a lot more cushy, and that's running 18 psi.
Oh, I was able to detect a small CG shift more to the front, I have to add just a bit more up elevator then before.
MTV, what pressure did you find was good with the blimp tires for off airport use?
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Thu May 16, 2013 5:17 pm
Re: 26 Good Years or 29 Airhawks?
Scolopax wrote:They put up an approved model list on their website: http://www.alaskatundratires.com/
In a world of nothing but grass, gravel and extra cash, I would be installing 31 inch bushwheels, but I found the complete Airhawk kit for a fraction of the cost and they appear to be STCd on my ship. I happen to have an extra pair of cleveland three bolt wheels for some 8.50s.
AKBushwheels site says that 29 inch bushwheels are 31 lbs. Is that for one or for two tires? Shaved airhawks are 20 lb per tire, and 7.5 for the wheel adapters. This set up is heavy, but suitable for the short term.
They forgot to include the weight of the tube... and the 6 " wheel is 7.25# . Jeff and the boys at FA are great guys but if the cost of your "Deal" adds up to more than the cost of our new set up of the 10x10's (including your 6"wheels) think pretty hard about it.
Thu May 16, 2013 5:21 pm
Re: 26 Good Years or 29 Airhawks?
Scolopax wrote:They put up an approved model list on their website: http://www.alaskatundratires.com/
In a world of nothing but grass, gravel and extra cash, I would be installing 31 inch bushwheels, but I found the complete Airhawk kit for a fraction of the cost and they appear to be STCd on my ship. I happen to have an extra pair of cleveland three bolt wheels for some 8.50s.
AKBushwheels site says that 29 inch bushwheels are 31 lbs. Is that for one or for two tires? Shaved airhawks are 20 lb per tire, and 7.5 for the wheel adapters. This set up is heavy, but suitable for the short term.
That weight should be PER tire. I weighed my 26'' bushwheels when I got them and they were 26lbs each.
Thu May 16, 2013 6:46 pm
Re: 26 Good Years or 29 Airhawks?
I was mistaken
Last edited by Rob on Fri May 17, 2013 8:32 am, edited 1 time in total.
Thu May 16, 2013 7:22 pm
Re: 26 Good Years or 29 Airhawks?
I'm keeping my buy top secret, don't want it to get taken out from under me. I bet those Goodyear tires will be gone by the time I'm ready to buy.
I called AKB a week or so ago to ask about their 10" wheel setup. Wup was gone so I talked to someone else. Sounds like they will have something coming out soon that will make this more affordable for me as I'll need a complete brake upgrade. I could probly get away with running the single puck grove brakes with 26" GY blimp tires so I'm leaning that way.
I called AKB a week or so ago to ask about their 10" wheel setup. Wup was gone so I talked to someone else. Sounds like they will have something coming out soon that will make this more affordable for me as I'll need a complete brake upgrade. I could probly get away with running the single puck grove brakes with 26" GY blimp tires so I'm leaning that way.
Thu May 16, 2013 8:11 pm
Re: 26 Good Years or 29 Airhawks?
Look forward to learning more Whee. The Goodyears are just sitting in my hangar. The owner is not aggressively selling them. I asked him about them and he said he'd sell them for a pretty good price with tubes.
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Thu May 16, 2013 10:11 pm
Re: 26 Good Years or 29 Airhawks?
I went with the air hawks,(29 11 10's) on ABW wheels.. tires are shaved which I am told by Wup cuts about 10 lbs off each.. in any case tire and wheel weigh in at 43 lbs each. which is about twice my old 800 sixes...raised my prop 6 inches higher and is way easier to push in and out of the hangar not to mention how forgiving they are of my occasional faux pas landing...I'm still not used to how well they take the bumps and holes out of a landing.. I sometimes cringe when I see something ahead on roll out that I think will do damage but am still amazed at how uneventful rolling over shit is..I lost about 10 MPH cruise but who cares, I'm driving a jeep not a ferrari... oh and one more thing... when I went to double puck brakes with the 800 x 6's I had to be real careful applying brake so as not to lift the tail... with the air hawks I can practically stand on the brakes to stop without raising the tail..a definite plus I figure... 
Fri May 17, 2013 9:13 am
Re: 26 Good Years or 29 Airhawks?
I was wondering what the cost difference is between the various oversized tire options?
Who can fill in the blanks (prices) per set?
29" x 10 airhawks:
29" x 10 shaved airhawks:
850x10 airtracs:
10" ABW wheels:
26", 29", 31" bushwheels:
26" goodyears:
Who can fill in the blanks (prices) per set?
29" x 10 airhawks:
29" x 10 shaved airhawks:
850x10 airtracs:
10" ABW wheels:
26", 29", 31" bushwheels:
26" goodyears:
Cessna Skywagon -- accept no substitute!
Fri May 17, 2013 10:02 am
Re: 26 Good Years or 29 Airhawks?
hotrod150 wrote:I was wondering what the cost difference is between the various oversized tire options?
Who can fill in the blanks (prices) per set?
29" x 10 airhawks: $1055.00
29" x 10 shaved airhawks: $1055.00
850x10 airtracs: $844.00
10" ABW wheels: $1951.00
26", 29", 31" bushwheels:
26"x12"x6" (PN: 26126.R) - $2850.00/pair
29"x13"x6" (PN: 29136.R) - $3270.00/pair
31"x13"x6" (PN:31136.R) - $3580.00/pair
35”x15”x10” (PN: 351510.R1) - $3900.00/pair
35"x15"x10" (PN: 351510.R) - $4695.00/pair Beaver
Additional shipping and handling charges apply.
FAA TSO C62d approved. STC's available.
26" goodyears:Dunno....
Fri May 17, 2013 10:39 am
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