hotrod180 wrote:

soyAnarchisto wrote: I will once I am an actual owner. They won't let me in the club until I'm an owner anyway.....

No longer true. Non-owner enthusiasts can join as an "associate member", and ex-skywagon owners can now be "sustaining members". All for the same $25 a year dues. BTW associate menbers can't vote and don't get the paper newspetter- only access to the website one. IMHO it's silly to have these distinctions, but that's how they roll.

Maybe. After being chastised by Bigrenna - I went and tried to join. After a 1 day delay I got a nice email telling me they've received my application and I should be contacted by a member of the board of directors to discuss my application and invite me to an upcoming meeting. The application would then be reviewed by the board of directors. I did get online access to the store - but of course that was ZERO help as there is absolutely no information about the STCs. I could not find the reference STC that discusses approvals for additional wheel/brake combinations - so I still cannot find what dogpilot was referring to. I've heard a lot of negative stuff about this type club. I've not heard much that makes me want to join.

hotrod180 wrote:BTW looking at the "Club store" in a recent newsletter, that $2 STCTIRE is a copy of an STC for 850x10's, not an actual STC, if you can see the distinction. BIGTIRES for $1 is a copy of the 850x6 4-ply approval letter. As spelled out in the linked letter in the first post, the approval letter approves 850x6x4ply tires on the original wheels and brakes. Whether or not the letter would be accepted as approval for 850x6x6 ply tires (probably), or on Cleveland w&b (maybe, maybe not) is the question.
FWIW I believe Kenmore has an 850x6 STC for the 180, as does North Sound Aviation.

Thanks that is very helpful. Although I wasn't asking about an STC for 8.5 tires. I was asking about approval for a mixture of cleveland brakes and McCauley wheels. Or a way to purchase just the STC paperwork for cleveland brakes.

And for anyone who might be interested in this topic. Desser now makes a 4 ply 8.50 tundra tire that is pretty cheap weighs under10 lbs - lighter than 8.50 wheels and 22" diameter. And since it's 4-ply you can use the approval letter above for presumably with a log book entry?

http://www.desser.com/aircraft-tires-and-tubes/850-6-4-ply.asp

Interesting response to your application I joined not long after buying my 180 late in 2014, it was just a matter of applying and paying my 25 bucks.. I guess that you're still considered of questionable character since you don't own a 180/185 (yet).

The reputation the 180/185 Club has for being "snooty" is partly due to their former owners-only membership policy, and partly due to the elitist attitude displayed by some of the members. I was on the receiving end of that attitude a time or two when I owned my 170. In spite of that, I joined after I bought one, but to tell the truth I don't see the benefit other than if you want to attend their fly-ins or conventions. I get more and better response to 180-related questions here and on supercub.org than is available on the 180/185 Club forums. And there's nothing in the Club store that I want or need, including paperwork. My membership expired at the end of 2015 and I don't plan to re-up.

Re your Cleveland brakes on McCauley wheels, I think the only STC you're gonna find is for Cleveland wheels AND brakes. I doubt you'll find one for a mix-and-match set-up. I think an FAA field approval for the combination should be do-able, or you might even be able to get it signed off as a minor alteration to the Cleveland STC. Talk to your IA or PMI. FWIW the Cleveland p/n 199-62 double-puck W&B kit was installed on my 180 per STC #SA63GL held by Parker Hannifin Corporation.

wingnut185 wrote:Great! Now how do we get 26" Goodyear's approved?

As far as I know, there is no STC for putting these on a 180185 so it's a field approval show.
I find that kinda strange, as before GarAero and ABW came along the 26" blimpies were about the only game in town if you wanted something larger than 850 x 6's. They also seem to be a pretty good match for the size & weight of the 180/185, and a pretty good compromise between capability & price.

So, A185F with the factory McCauley 3 piece wheels and brakes. Looks like if I want to put 8.50-6 tires on, the North Sound STC is my best bet because it doesn't specify Cleveland wheels?

Wish I could run the 4 ply Smooth Aero Classic 4 ply offering from Desser, but that doesn't work with the STC as they specify 6 ply in the North Sound STC.

Probably the Michelins then. Superhawks are cheaper, but I like a tight tolerance for roundness and balance.

I just put 8.00x6 4 ply on the C140a...I might have thought about doing 8.50s if it didn't need an STC but the 8.00s are probably big enough and more importantly look cooler. The other upside is the 4 ply 8.00s are actually .4 lbs less than the 6 ply 6.00s that came off. Combined with the loss of another 8lbs loosing the wheel pants and I gained some real useful load.
I have heard that 8.50s sometimes rub against Cleveland brakes unless you use a spacer and the new 8.00s on my setup come close enough that I think it might have some truth.

Pinecone wrote:So, A185F with the factory McCauley 3 piece wheels and brakes. Looks like if I want to put 8.50-6 tires on, the North Sound STC is my best bet because it doesn't specify Cleveland wheels?

Wish I could run the 4 ply Smooth Aero Classic 4 ply offering from Desser, but that doesn't work with the STC as they specify 6 ply in the North Sound STC.

Probably the Michelins then. Superhawks are cheaper, but I like a tight tolerance for roundness and balance.

FWIW, I just put super hawks on my 180. They are just as round as my McCrearys were, and there's less gear leg shake once airborne now. I'd chalk that up to the pretty good balance.
David

Thanks for the comments. Probably not much difference between the 800 or 850. Desser's application guide lists 800 SC 8 Ply. What does SC stand for? (found the answer-Smooth Contour) Parts book says 8.00-6 6 Ply. Will I be sorry if I buy smooth tires? They're very cool looking, but will they be really bad on ice, snow, or pavement? Hydroplaning a big risk?

I think any tires suck on snow. My bushwheels and 8.50s skid about equally on both snow and ice. One great thing about smoothies is that they don't throw as much gravel and other debris. I was thinking about going with the 8.50 4 plys, but my AME and I weren't sure that 4 plys was enough. Maybe next time I need to switch I'll try them out.

I think MountainMatt is running the Desser 4 plys - they list the weight range on their website as being well within range of a 180. They are light at under 10lbs and cheap at $225 each compared to bushwheels. A good compromise.

http://www.desser.com/aircraft-tires-and-tubes/850-6-4-ply.asp

One more update - in case anyone is looking. The current cost of the Kenmore 8.50 STC is now up to $300!

A1Skinner wrote:..... One great thing about smoothies is that they don't throw as much gravel and other debris. I was thinking about going with the 8.50 4 plys, but my AME and I weren't sure that 4 plys was enough....

When Desser came out with their 850 smoothies, I had the same idea. I checked the C180 TCDS-- unlike the C170 TCDS it doesn't list approved wheels, brakes etc, although it does include 7-1/2 pages (!!!) of required placards. However, amongst my C180's paperwork is a copy of the original factory equipment list. Item 202(b) lists "two main wheel tires, 800x6 - 4 ply rating". So I figure the 850 4 plies are stout enough.

The Aero WBS (Desser) recapped 850's on my 180 are wearing like iron, so it would probably make the most sense to just go that route when they do wear out, but the lighter 850 smoothies are very appealing. And although it's a dumb reason to choose tires, I like the looks of the McCreary Airtracs best so they're also in the running.

hotrod180 wrote:

A1Skinner wrote:..... One great thing about smoothies is that they don't throw as much gravel and other debris. I was thinking about going with the 8.50 4 plys, but my AME and I weren't sure that 4 plys was enough....

When Desser came out with their 850 smoothies, I had the same idea. I checked the C180 TCDS-- unlike the C170 TCDS it doesn't list approved wheels, brakes etc, although it does include 7-1/2 pages (!!!) of required placards. However, amongst my C180's paperwork is a copy of the original factory equipment list. Item 202(b) lists "two main wheel tires, 800x6 - 4 ply rating". So I figure the 850 4 plies are stout enough.

The Aero WBS (Desser) recapped 850's on my 180 are wearing like iron, so it would probably make the most sense to just go that route when they do wear out, but the lighter 850 smoothies are very appealing. And although it's a dumb reason to choose tires, I like the looks of the McCreary Airtracs best so they're also in the running.

The McCrearys have to many grooves for my liking. That's what I took off and that's what took them out of the running for me. Less grooves the better.

soyAnarchisto wrote:One more update - in case anyone is looking. The current cost of the Kenmore 8.50 STC is now up to $300!

Does anyone in the PNW have contact information for North Sound? Google overloaded me with "sound" related websites. No joy. I need to see what they are charging for their STC. I need to buy one and the Scotsman is coming out in me.

Thanks, Rich

PittsDriver wrote:.Does anyone in the PNW have contact information for North Sound? Google overloaded me with "sound" related websites. No joy. I need to see what they are charging for their STC. I need to buy one and the Scotsman is coming out in me.

Here's the contact info I have:
North Sound Aviation Inc
30578 Walberg Road
Sedro Woolley, WA 98284
Phone: (360) 826-3962
[email protected]

I'm not sure how current this info is but it's worth a try.
Owners name is Jim Hayton.

The 850x6 STC is #SA1601NM.

Thanks Eric. Email address bounced so I'll give them a phone call on Monday.

Rich

Does anyone else think that here in the Land of the Free, Home of the Brave the fact that we have to celebrate a decision that has been obvious for 55 years that these tires work on these planes??? These are tires, not exactly adding a third wing or anything. Crazy stuff. And crazier yet is that some people will beg for the regulation. The Wright Brothers would still be trying to get off the ground if the FAA was around then. Unbelievable what we have come to accept.

jprax wrote:Does anyone else think that here in the Land of the Free, Home of the Brave the fact that we have to celebrate a decision that has been obvious for 55 years that these tires work on these planes??? These are tires, not exactly adding a third wing or anything. Crazy stuff. And crazier yet is that some people will beg for the regulation. The Wright Brothers would still be trying to get off the ground if the FAA was around then. Unbelievable what we have come to accept.

+1

Yup. Look at 26" GY's-- they've been installed on probably hundreds of 180/185's, yet it's a field approval every time, with fwd/aft CG flight tests, etc.

But it could be worse. A buddy of mine has a friend visiting from Germany. he comes over every year and does a lot of flying while he's here. Over there, it's not just very expensive but apparently there's also a lot of red tape involved -- no just jumping in the airplane and going. Every flight requires a plan, made (days?) in advance, etc. So we do still have some of our flying freedom left.

I had to laugh at all the discussion on here regarding the 4 ply rating noted in the letter from August Asay. I passed a copy of the letter on to an old time IA around here the other day, who's working on a 170 and a 180, both of which want to go to 8.50s. He looked at the 4 ply verbiage, and just laughed.....said as far as he's concerned, that letter is gold plated, and in his words: "Who gives a shit about the number of plys?".

My feelings precisely.

MTV

Curious how he felt about the approval being only for original wheels & brakes, since I'm gonna bet that neither airplane still has those. I can't remember the last time I saw a 170 or 180 with the old Goodyear brakes. Personally I think that part's silly too, but the letter's approval verbiage is pretty specific:

"In that letter, it was agreed that "the installation of 850x6, 4-ply tires on the original main gear wheels of Cessna 180 series, 182 series, and 185 series is satisfactory." The change in equipment and weight and balance are to be noted on a form ACA 337.
Additionally, use on the original main gear wheels of Cessna 170 series aircraft is approved due to similarity of application."

http://fadodge.com/images/pdf_files/FAA ... rcraft.pdf

If you're not gonna abide by the details of the approval (original wheels and 4 ply tires), I don't know how you can cite the letter re "basis of approval". Just mount 'em up!