All this talk about nosedragger vs. tailwheel aircraft got me wondering....is there any tundra-wheeled NOSE wheel aircraft that are often used in the bush?

cessna 206 are fairly commen with 29s on the mains and a 8.50 on the nose.

I don't think you really need tundra tires.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgWfQoNaCZU&feature=fvw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBZxhueV ... re=related

ccurrie wrote:cessna 206 are fairly commen with 29s on the mains and a 8.50 on the nose.

Lots of 182s too.

Katmai, spelling, Has great photos of the 182 with big tires all the way around. The youtube vid looked like a 500x5 nose to me. Ive had a 500x5 dig in while I was trying to turn around to close to the river in one of my old 182s. A 600x6 would have alowed me to make that turn in 2in loose river stone, or I could have just turned 5 feet shorter. Bigger tires have alowed me to get into my ranch at least 1 month earlier.

... an old 172 with 31's on the mains and 8.50x6 nose wheel.

I guess I should have said, I don't think you really need tundra tires for most flying in trikes. I don't think too many people are going to be doing gravel bars in 172's. I want bigger tires on my plane but I know it will never be a Supercub. There are some Tricycle planes that could use Tundra tires. The Zenair STOL planes. Kitfox's can be built as a trike and Helio made a trike too.
http://www.zenair.com/
http://www.kitfoxaircraft.com/kitfox_kits.htm
http://www.helioaircraft.com/ourplanes.htm

Most of the heavy lifting with small airplanes these days in the bush of Alaska is done with tricycle gear airplanes, specifically the Cessna 206 series. Lots of them wear anything from 8.50 x 6.00 tires up to and including 29 x 10 tires with wheel adapters. The airplane works great and will go most places a 185 will go.

MTV

Jaerl wrote:I don't think you really need tundra tires.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgWfQoNaCZU&feature=fvw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBZxhueV ... re=related

Jerry:
The straight tail 182 is my favorite video > Landing and taking off in very primitive conditions . Been there done that 700 or 800 mains and 6x6 nose will do almost anywhere .

Been keeping the 182B at the ranch for the last 6 months or so. I have done a lot of take offs and landings on the grass and have noticed lots of diferences in performance as the grass changes. 4" grass, 6" grass, dry grass and dewey wet grass. I have been using 600 on the nose and 600 on the mains for most of the time here.

Just recently I put 700's on the mains. I imediatly notice that it took less power to taxi in the grass with the 700's. The take off role is much less (about 75 to 100 ft). I did not think that the tire change would make that big of diference but it really did. Going to 800's on the mains would be another step up in performance I think.

Tim

Bill & Tim, I think you guys are 100% right. 8:00 Mains and a 6" or 7" nosewheel would probably get you the best off airport setup for anything up to a and including a 182. Any bigger and I think you are just trying to make the plane into somthing it's not.

I checked out a bunch of the "missionary pilot" You Tube videos and looks like most of their planes are just using stock 5:00's. Lots of good backcountry action.

What is that new low wing backcountry plane someone posted a video on? It looked like a workhorse too.

Jarel-

Have you ever run the bigger tires on a 182/206? Now before you get all fuzzed up it is just a question..... I think the 182 is very under-rated in the rite hands and properly set up. I mean they are no Super cub but NOTHING is.. The Big tires are a tool to keep your airframe in one piece and the rest of its contents as well.

Amen. Take that airplane in to a mine strip in Interior Alaska with those little bitty rollers, and see how much rattling your teeth do. Groomed grass strips are one thing. Actually back country strips with little to no maintenance is something quite different. Off airport is a whole different world.

Not everyone takes their airplanes into rough strips, but it only takes one good gopher hole to ruin your day on 7.00 tires. Even 8.50's won't roll over much.

When it comes to floatation and rough, big tires are great insurance.

MTV

From the "Helio Courier" thread. http://www.backcountrypilot.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=605&hilit=helio&start=20

Hotshot, I have never run the bigger tires on a 182/206. I have never even flown a 182 or 206, but if your offering I would be glad to try. I do speculate a lot and I have to admit a lot of what I know about flying was learned here from you guys. I will try to keep my comments closer to what I actually know, not what I hear or read.

I have an older BMW F650 Dual Sport motorcycle. The bike is fun to ride and I love it. It isn't a great road bike but I have ridden it 850 miles into Canada in one day before and it has been to the bottom of Baja. It isn't a great dirt bike but It spends a lot of time off road and is a kick on fireroads. If I put knobbys on it will it be a dirt bike? No. If I put touring tires on it will it be a road bike? No.

I think the smaller Cessnas are great planes. Kind of like Dual Sport Planes. They are reasonably fast and very durable. You can take one and put Tundra Tires, Extend the wings and a put a STOL Kit on, micro VG's, bigger engine. All will make it a better off airport plane but it is still a Cessna. Plus it will cost as much or more than a Super Cub. You can modify function but you can't change it.

Bottom line is that there is a point of diminishing returns. That point is different for everyone. That point FOR ME regarding tires is 8:00 Mains and a 6 -7" Nose wheel. That combination should get me in and out of anywhere I have the skill to fly and a lot of places I have no business going! You see a lot of planes in Alaska set up just like that. If I go to 8:50's I will loose more speed and they cost a bunch. Yes they will work better in the mud and soft stuff but I hope I have enough sense to stay off the ground if it is that soft.

Jerry

PS: MTV, I took your advice and drove the prop to Boise. Didn't want to ruin a perfectly good life.

Jerry-

Again, I am not tryin to get under your skin but to help you understand why the big tires are not just a ego trip but a tool that will keep your airplane and its contents in one piece should something you don't see reach out and bite thee.

There are many people that don't want/need bigger tires and you hit the nail on the head when you said

You can modify

and that is what it is all about you or I can modify anything to our likeing, is it perfect, no that is why we mod what we have, to make it fit what we want/need.

All I can say is Try it... if it don't bring a smile to your face when you touch down on what was a "Nice strip" and then go back with the smaller tire and see how ruff it realy is on the plane then you will fully understand why so many people that don't "need" but have the bigger tires smile sooooo much.

And anytime you see me you are more than welcome to go for a ride.... if you can handle Riden' in the Maule

Hottshot wrote: And anytime you see me you are more than welcome to go for a ride.... if you can handle Riden' in the Maule

I would like a ride in a 182 with an 850 in front and some of your biggies on the mains. Preferably an early model, you know before Cessna ruined the 182. Oh and where did your Dad in Law get those oisters he served up in Austin last year. Them were good.

Tim

Tim-

i will do my best to help you out on both Q's will send you the info in the AM

qmdv wrote:

Hottshot wrote: And anytime you see me you are more than welcome to go for a ride.... if you can handle Riden' in the Maule

I would like a ride in a 182 with an 850 in front and some of your biggies on the mains. Preferably an early model, you know before Cessna ruined the 182. Oh and where did your Dad in Law get those oisters he served up in Austin last year. Them were good.

Tim

You guys can use my plane. I only have 850's on the mains, but If you want to try something bigger, I'm up for it. Just don't bend my plane up!! I'm up for a discussion if you want.

Hotshot, I hate to admit it but I'm sure your Maule could go places my Cessna never will. Doesn't matter what tires I have. If I had a Maule I would be more apt to put big tires on it. I will for sure take you up on that ride if I ever meet up with you. I always thought a Maule would make a great next plane.