bbs428 Build

[jiott]

I run my Desser 8.50's at 15 lbs but usually let them get down to 10-12 before I add more air. Don't notice any difference in ease of landings in that pressure range, but the lower pressures are somewhat softer on a hard landing. I'm sure 10 lbs would be fine except that I don't want to continually have to check tire pressures. I am very afraid that much below 10 lbs greatly increases the chances for shearing off the tube valve stem on hard surface landings. For this reason I start higher and make sure they never get below 10 lbs.

[PapuaPilot]

Interesting, I don't notice any difference between the 600x6 and the Desser 850x6 tires on pavement. Like others have said, I run my Dessers at 12-15 psi and make sure they don't go below 10 psi. The plane gets much harder to push by hand when they get down around 10 psi.

For any of you wanting to monitor tire slippage all you need to do is paint a reference stripe across the tire rim and tire. This will instantly show slippage. I have these stripes and check them every preflight.

[jiott]

Phil, that reference stripe is a good idea, because with hubcaps on it is impossible to check tire slippage without removing the caps.

[jrevens]

Interesting, I don't notice any difference between the 600x6 and the Desser 850x6 tires on pavement. Like others have said, I run my Dessers at 12-15 psi and make sure they don't go below 10 psi. The plane gets much harder to push by hand when they get down around 10 psi.

For any of you wanting to monitor tire slippage all you need to do is paint a reference stripe across the tire rim and tire. This will instantly show slippage. I have these stripes and check them every preflight.

Ditto, to all of this.

[PapuaPilot]

Phil, that reference stripe is a good idea, because with hubcaps on it is impossible to check tire slippage without removing the caps.

We do that with all of the planes where I work (Mission Aviation Fellowship). The type of flying we do at MAF often demands heavy braking and tires will slowly spin on the hubs.

Funny story. An airworthiness inspector, in a country that will remain unnamed, noticed our (MAF) planes didn't have slip marks on the nose wheels. After our guys attempted to explain the purpose of the stripes the inspector still didn't get it. The easiest solution ended up to just paint slip marks on the nose wheels. That satisfied the inspector.

[PapuaPilot]

You can see the slip mark on the tire on the 9:00 position.

Weatherby.jpg

[bbs428]

Appreciate all the responses!

As for the tires, my own experience in the Kitfox, being my 1st tailwheel ac, is that during the learning curve in respect to rudder inputs, during take offs and landings, being an inexperienced student and one who over corrected on pavement, I found the smaller 6x6's to be more forgiving. I did get used to the plane and the proper rudder inputs pretty quick so I'm sure I'll be fine with the bigger 8.50x22 when they go back on. The bigger tire definitely provides a safer ride on softer surfaces and look a lot better!
I agree that 15psi is good and 10-12psi is the minimum for the Desser. I run 20-22psi in the 6x6's.

As to the witness marks I can see it's a good practice with the innertube tires.

[bbs428]

Finished my tail wheel training and flight review last week. It's been a journey! Springtime in Missouri means the weather is a bit fickle, so we are now waiting on a good weather window to get it to its new hanger over in Houston, Mo.

Very impressed with the Rotax 912ul Zipper engine(110hp)/NR prop combo. Plane ran flawlessly! At one time during a cold morning Vx climb out, we were hitting over 2k feet per minute! But it was like learning how to fly all over again! In my case it worked out to about 14 hrs. at @ 2.5 hrs. per flight to get all my kinks worked out. The CFI had over 38k flight hours and really busted my chops in all aspects of flight and ground handling. Feeling good and confident about the plane and my progress. The fun is starting to ramp up!

The EAA Ch. 1609 and S.O.A.R. helped me keep the plane in Bolivar, Mo (M17) while I got my qualifications done.
It has a nice 2500ft grass strip next to the 4000 x 75ft main runway. Lots of friendly pilots call this place home. They sure were great to me!

IMG_6519.JPG IMG_2227.jpg IMG_2363.jpg IMG_2467.jpg IMG_2241.jpg

[Kitfox Pilot]

I hope you have as much fun as I have had switching to tailwheel flying! Congratulations!

[Geek]

Nice Brett!!!! You're kinda smiling there with that logbook eh? Now the real fun begins!!

Enjoy it shipmate.

Gary