Tire Pressure Example

[dkenney1]

I did a search on what all of you thought on tire pressure, and came across this thread http://vb.taylorcraft.org/showthread...=tire+pressure. I was intrigued by I think it was Hank's comments regarding that the tire was an integral part of the shock absorption process/system and running too high a pressure places more stress than intended on bungee and bushings. Since I was about to put more air in my tires so I could roll the plane easier, I decided to do an experiment. I would attach the video camera at a good angle to see the tire and landing gear system and do some landings on pavement. It was also a way to practice wheel landings when the plane heavy, with wife and me and fuel (no comment about heavy wives), and embarrass myself. I'm getting the hang of wheel landings with the Tcraft and find them tougher on pavement. I'm at times (as you can see) a little late with forward elevator.

https://youtu.be/D-UP8p7xJoU

This video is at 20 or 21 lbs of pressure in standard tire. You can see on impact and even rollout it doing a lot of flexing and the landing gear not much (grass the gear moves much more). I have not uploaded the videos yet, but did same again with 28 lbs of air, and the tire hardly flexes, but the landing gear moves a lot especially on touchdown. All the landings were about the same, none particularly firm to skew the video results.

So Hank, right as usual and thank you. My tire pressures are now 20 psi and I just pull harder to get out of the hanger

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Tire Pressure Example

I agree that I would NOT put excess pressure in the tires, but I don't remember being the one who said it (might have, but sure don't remember it being me). ;-)

Hank

I'm gettin on in years like all the rest of us you know. ;-)

[M Towsley]

Re: Tire Pressure Example

Read this, very interesting. Especially the part farther down, "What Tire Pressure is Best"? You will actually slightly over-inflate. http://www.avweb.com/news/savvyaviat...-188586-1.html

This has been discussed quite a bit, there are the under-inflate guys as well as the inflate to recommended 20 psi folks. This article is a little different from those philosophies.

[dewhitaker]

Re: Tire Pressure Example

Under inflation causes more problems and damage. One risk of an under inflated tire when landing on pavement is the tire and tube can slip on the rim, shearing off the valve stem and causing a complete loss of air. It is better to slightly overinflate, it will lose air soon enough. I have provided a link to my employers website, you might find it interesting. http://www.goodyearaviation.com/resources/tirecare.html

[Marv]

Re: Tire Pressure Example

I agree with Dave.

[fearofpavement]

Re: Tire Pressure Example

On tire pressures, on our Tcraft I usually just inflate them enough until they "look right". With a gauge, this is about 20psi. We operate off a grass strip but do land on pavement as well.

[astjp2]

Re: Tire Pressure Example

Well I run 12 psi in my tires, I have 850's and land on pavement and off field and it was the best compromise. Less and you can shear off a valve stem, more is too stiff. One thing to note is that at 12 psi on pavement you need to be straight because they tend to want to stick more that a tire that is inflated more. Bushwheels don't use tubes and don't have to worry about shearing the valve stem...Tim