I'm wanting to up my tire size for the upcoming spring and summer flying season. Right now I'm running stock wheels and pants.

A Cubcrafters LSA parked right next to me is sporting some 8.50 x 6 and that looks plenty big for what I'm planning.

Can someone help me plan the swap? Anything from recommendations on places to buy tires and rims, name brands, etc is appreciated. I'm also going to need a source for an STC.

Thanks!

Save yourself reading every ones opinion and go direct to the expert

http://www.akbushwheel.com/

Then pick up the phone and call Wup

You wont need rims, yours will work fine. Search the faa website under aircraft STC for your model, I think there are 2 stcs for 8.50 on a Citabria.
I bought one a few years back from a guy in AK for mine, he has since passed away. The Goodyear tire requires a spacer behind the brake disc for clearance, the Airtrac did not. Also note there is some discrepancy to tire height, some manufactureres are taller than others. I may be wrong, I think the High Country 7BCGC comes with 850 rubber? Cant remember, but it might be on the TC now. Desser tire is about the cheapest. If you can use that word about airplanes. I have a copy of the spacer required if you want to borrow it to make copy for yourself.

Jim

Aft:

I've go the 8.5 x 6's on my 7 GCBC and they are everything I need. They were on the plane when I bought it though. I have the STC for them (came with the plane when I bought it).

Joe

mr scout wrote:Save yourself reading every ones opinion and go direct to the expert

http://www.akbushwheel.com/

Then pick up the phone and call Wup

Not everybody needs bushwheels. If all you need are 850's, why go for more? Is it a testosterone thing??

The High Country Explorer comes from the factory with 8.00X6 Goodyear Tires. I have seen 8.00X6 tires on a Super D and they needed spacers.
If I remeber right I can go to the next two larger tire sizes without an STC as they are included in the manual. I may go to 8.50X6 when my 8.00X6 tires need to be replaced.

zero.one.victor wrote:

mr scout wrote:Save yourself reading every ones opinion and go direct to the expert

http://www.akbushwheel.com/

Then pick up the phone and call Wup

Not everybody needs bushwheels. If all you need are 850's, why go for more? Is it a testosterone thing??

Come on now, everyone needs BUSHWHEELS some just haven't discovered it yet.

The Alaska Region of the FAA has developed guidance for field approving larger tire sizes on aircraft. It is a pretty straight forward process, and reasonable. I'd get in touch with them, get the guidance (or someone on here can provide it) and go to your local FSDO to run it past them and see if they will buy it.

That is, if there is NOT an STC available any more.

MTV

Thanks to everyone who replied. If I could afford Alaskan Bushwheels I would consider them, but they're out of range and also a little extreme for my plane's capability (not to mention my capability)

I was thinking about another set of rims because it would be nice to just jack up the plane and swap them out. Honestly though, if they're not a significant damper on cruise speed and useful load I will likely never take them off.

Price a set of "rims", wheels actually and I doubt that you will purchase an extra set

I am pretty sure that the 8.5's are now on the TC for the 7GCBC we fimnally got them to get rid of that 8.50x 6 wheel and stick with the 600x6 wheel, Call the factory to be sure..... THey are useing the 30-52N and 40-75D wheel /brakes (199-62 Kit) to make it happen

and as for the spacers behind the brake disc, Wup has them as I just bought a set for my maule when I went to 800's. Just call him and he sends them right out. What more can you ask for?