I have done the Landis Nose Fork STC on my 172. 8.50s all around. Thats a big honking nose wheel! A little too big. I have to flare big time to keep the nose off to touch down on the mains first. I did make a skid for the tail. I haven't touched yet, but I don't know how.
I called Seaplane North and they suggested I go to a 7.00 on the nose. The STC is for the same tire size on all three wheels.
What are the chances I could get a field approval for the smaller nose tire? The stock setup has a smaller nose tire, It would seem logical, ( I know I'm dealing with the government here), to allow the smaller tire.
How should I go about this?
Thanks
Robert

I know I've seen other posts of people going with 8.00's on the nose and getting a field approval for it. So it can be done. Hopefully someone has contact info.

Hey, there is another way to skin that cat.............put 31's on the back.

We field approved a 206 with an 8.00 on the nose and 8.50's on the mains. That is a nice combination. Frankly, I don't know what Landes was thinking when the stc'd the fork for an 8.50 on all three corners....winds up landing nose first many times. And, yes, you really do need a skid under the tail with that combo.

Get with your mechanic, explain the situation to him, and see if you can find a sympathetic Maintenance Inspector in your FSDO. Field approve a deviation to the specifications of the stc, to provide for gear geometry similar to the standard (stock unmodified) airplane.

MTV

Ask your IA about an STC deviation, get it preapproved.
Basically you followed the STC except you deviated by using a smaller tire on the front.
Its still requires a 337.
Good luck.

Another option for others is to install the 206 nose fork rather than the Landes fork. .... Lots cheaper too. Then get a field approval to run 8:00's on the mains and a 7:00 on the nose like my 182 has. It will take me anywhere I really have any business going without bushwheels and is a performing combo.......Or......you could just trade nose forks with me............

Has anyone ever tried to get the 26" GY tires on the mains? I have a set laying here that are like new and would like to put them on my 172 if possible. I think I asked the question a while back but have gotten so busy this spring I put it on the back burner.
WW

WWhunter wrote:Has anyone ever tried to get the 26" GY tires on the mains? I have a set laying here that are like new and would like to put them on my 172 if possible. I think I asked the question a while back but have gotten so busy this spring I put it on the back burner.
WW

In AK, you can go to the F double A and get the Tundra Tire Worksheet. Your IA can do the field approval with it, one of the few field approvals that the regional offices can still approve as I understand it. Not sure how successful you'd be using it in MN, just depends on how they interpret the regs. that particular day.

gb

The Boise FSDO uses the Tundra tire worksheet as well. They have a specified guy that handles the tire approvals and he wants an ICA on the 337 along with the steps you took to change the tires and the worksheet filled out.

Whazza ICA?

Instructions for Continued Airworthiness...sorry should have said what it was the first time around.

Should have recognized ICA acronym, as I recently had three 337's done for my airplane- one each for a BAS tailpull handle, a com radio and a new prop. One of them (prop) said "maintain per the original specifications of the manufacturer", but the other two 337's (done by a different IA) had a "15-step program" on the back under ICA. I was told that the FAA wants them that way now. They basically say "maintain per manufacturer's instructions" but they each use over 100 words divided into 15 line items to do so.

Eric

hotrod150 wrote: "15-step program" on the back under ICA. I was told that the FAA wants them that way now. They basically say "maintain per manufacturer's instructions" but they each use over 100 words divided into 15 line items to do so.

Yep...gotta the give the inspectors something to read.

whee wrote:

hotrod150 wrote: "15-step program" on the back under ICA. I was told that the FAA wants them that way now. They basically say "maintain per manufacturer's instructions" but they each use over 100 words divided into 15 line items to do so.

Yep...gotta the give the inspectors something to read.

It's all about the "paperwork process" the FAA used to have a handout at the I.A. renewal classes that identified what to say,when to say it and how to get it approved the first time. Then change 15 came out and FSDO's Inspectors wanted to push everything back on DER's -DAR's lap . After much haggling the FAA rewrote change 15 to later editions. If you do the "process" correctly and keep FSDO inspectors involved you have 80-90 % chance to get it thru first time. I've had 150+ field approvals APPROVED in last 15 years so I know a little more than most I.A. Having a partner who works for FAA doesn't hurt either. It's all about the process and who gets involved,i.e.don't get a electronic inspector to approve your big tires.All of the FSDO inspectors have a particular "specialty" electronics,big airplanes,Operations etc. If you see a airplane that has been modified ask owner for a copy of his approval (good deal of time he'll say no or doesn't have that paperwork. You can request a copy of his FAA Oklahoma City records for 10 bucks. I have a class that I teach to other I.A.'s that defines "how to get a field approval" in 6 easy steps. I've been offered jobs by the FAA but already collect one retirement check. It's all about the paperwork .

I was going to go with the Landis nose fork on my 182 but decided not. Found a 206 fork and got field approval done.
Now I have 6.00's all around.

The old timers around the airport strongly advised doing anything stating extra stress on the firewall. Seems if you land right it wouldn't be an issue. I posted this topic about a year ago on this site. I would like to hear any thoughts on firewall stress.

Thanks,

Steve
59' C182 N8428T

steve-o
The upper mount of the nose strut is riveted to the firewall and thru flanges of the floor tunnel.If you put enough front to back load on the strut it will tear the rivets out and the nosewheel will fold under.I was told to install bolts in place of the rivets with an angle doubler inside at the tunnel flanges to prevent this.

Bill

steve-o wrote:I was going to go with the Landis nose fork on my 182 but decided not. Found a 206 fork and got field approval done.
Now I have 6.00's all around.

The old timers around the airport strongly advised doing anything stating extra stress on the firewall. Seems if you land right it wouldn't be an issue. I posted this topic about a year ago on this site. I would like to hear any thoughts on firewall stress.

Thanks,

Steve
59' C182 N8428T

Why did you need a field approval? Are there no optional tire sizes for your year? When I did my 182 I found a fork from a 310, it's identical to the oversize fork for my year except there were tabs on the back for the fender that the 310 has. Shave off the tabs and you now have a 182 fork. I believe a 206 fork is the oversize fork for the 182.

Bonanza Man, you are right on the money. The 206 nose fork is simple for the 172....done all the time.....only need a logbook entry according to my IA. Then you can run 7.00's all the way around if you want to. The 206 fork is also the oversize fork for the 182. I run a 7.00 on the nose and 8.00's on the mains of my 182...no problem. look at my avatar.

AKGrouch wrote:Bonanza Man, you are right on the money. The 206 nose fork is simple for the 172....done all the time.....only need a logbook entry according to my IA. Then you can run 7.00's all the way around if you want to. The 206 fork is also the oversize fork for the 182. I run a 7.00 on the nose and 8.00's on the mains of my 182...no problem. look at my avatar.

How's the log book entry stated? And is the 206 nose fork the same as what would be on the military version of the 172, because ive seen them with 7.00's main and 6.00 nose, could you go bigger

Look on the equipment list for your plane. The optional nose fork will have a number. Put in the log that you "installed optional nose fork #xxxx." Check the parts book to make sure you have all the parts that is required.