Sorry in advance for bringing it up again.
I’m still trying to get somebody in PNW-ish area to work with me to get the Desser 31” on my M-5.
James in Idaho was nice enough to share the shop who did his install and his supporting data with my mechanic. The shop who signed his off turned ghost on us. Cannot get a brave FAA near Seattle to play. Sent a couple of inquiries out, Seaplanes North is working on the Grove wheel/tire combo STC. Cessna first, Maule to follow. This is my long term goal. They have been very good to talk to and are realistic in no concret timeline.
I’d go for the AK 10” and switch to the Groves later if I could only get somebody to work with me.
Seriously, any ideas?

Probably not the answer you're looking for, but if your time is worth anything at all, AK Bushwheels are reasonably priced.

I don't say that as a convert...I've worked around having to buy their expensive tires for the past two decades. But that's only because it's been easy for me...thus far. If I thought I was going to have to spend an honest twenty hours doing bullshit paperwork for tires, with no guarantee of success, I'd just buy STC'd tires at whatever cost and forget about it.

But if you love projects, this should keep you busy!

Not trying to be a smart ass... I've just mulled this over for years and come to the conclusion that STC'd tires are relatively cheap, compared to the alternative.

Have you submitted for initial review? They, FAA, can’t just say “no”, they need to give reasoning for not granting it. If you have some approved data from a previous field approval, I don’t see why you can’t push it through.

Maybe I am missing something, but we have had really good luck with the Spokane FSDO. The old timers have all retired, but the new guys seem to be mostly reasonable. I have gotten several FA’s approved, granted they are pretty small potatoes, but they have been helpful in understanding what they need to say yes.

Good luck!

Rod

Valid points.
Thanks for the input guys.
Appreciate it.
Chaz

This is what Desser came up with to replace those shaved 29" air hawks:

29/1100-10 4 PLY AERO CLASSIC SMOOTH TUNDRA TT/TL (AA4AP)
SKU: 29/11-10 4 PLY AC

Price: $595.00

steve c wrote: This is what Desser came up with to replace those shaved 29" air hawks:
29/1100-10 4 PLY AERO CLASSIC SMOOTH TUNDRA TT/TL (AA4AP)
SKU: 29/11-10 4 PLY AC Price: $595.00

Chaz, maybe you can go with these 29" DEssers instead of the 31's?
I just did some googling, approval for the 29" airhawks appears to be part of the STC for the 10" ABI wheels.
STC # SA01765SE
http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guida ... 1765SE.pdf

The STC calls for "any FAA TSO-C62 revision approved 29x11-10 4-ply tube-type tire.....must be rated at or above the weight and speed rating of the aircraft".
I doubt the speed rating would be an issue, but I wasn't able to find any specs on the 29" Desser smoothie,
so I dunno if the weight rating would be or not.
I wasn't even able to tell if the Desser 29 is designed or able to be run with tubes.
But it might be worth looking into.

These tires looked great at the Airmen's Gathering. Airframes Alaska updated the Gar-Aero adapter STC to allow 8.50-10's or 29-11-10's, so sometime this summer I am replacing my Airhawk's with these!

Rod

I wouldn't think that Airframes Alaska updated the Gar Aero STC,
since it's approved under STC SA4305WE which is held by Seaplanes North, aka "Alaska Tundra Tires".
http://www.alaskatundratires.com/prices.html

http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guida ... hlight=gar aero

The STC says "installation of Gar Aero wheel adapters and tundra type tires" per GarAero drawing #10001.
You'd have to check the (latest) drawing(s) & specs to see just what tires are spelled out.

I must have mixed up the name of the STC holder. To Many Alaska XXXXX ...

STC #SA4305WE dated July 24, 2009.

For the 180 through 180k, Note 4 says;

4. Must use Air Hawk 29 x 11.0-10 4 ply tube type or 8.50 x 10 6 ply tube type tire.

I think it would be pretty easy to get a deviation to the STC to use a different mfg 29x11-10 4 ply tire, which the Desser is.

I will talk to my IA tomorrow and see what she thinks ( which literally means nothing in the grand scheme of things... )

Rod

I’d have to double check but these were FA with the 10” adapter and they are tubed.