Anyone here has bushwheels on their champ?
Do you need a field approval?
Does it change the flight/landing characteristics?
Bushwheels
Re: Bushwheels
I talked with these guys at the last fly-in (they attend most of them) and they have an STC for their wheels on Aeronca's.
http://www.akbushwheel.com/ContactUs.html
Everyone I have talked with who had them loved them. No change in flight other than losing a bit of cruise airspeed.
http://www.akbushwheel.com/ContactUs.html
Everyone I have talked with who had them loved them. No change in flight other than losing a bit of cruise airspeed.
Re: Bushwheels
You need an STC.
They slow you down a bit, they let you come down much steeper, and they can make speed really bleed off quickly - you might need extra power in real tight turns. Landing on gravel/grass/mud is nothing special. They can be a handful on pavement in a crosswind, especially if you have them aired down. They change your AOA a bit, and you'll need a different technique than with smaller tires to get the best out of them. They open up a hell of a lot of cool places to land. I consider them an insurance policy.
They slow you down a bit, they let you come down much steeper, and they can make speed really bleed off quickly - you might need extra power in real tight turns. Landing on gravel/grass/mud is nothing special. They can be a handful on pavement in a crosswind, especially if you have them aired down. They change your AOA a bit, and you'll need a different technique than with smaller tires to get the best out of them. They open up a hell of a lot of cool places to land. I consider them an insurance policy.
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WWhunter
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Re: Bushwheels
I second everything Dusty said. They can get a little exciting on pavement!!! I have the 26" on my Champ and am totally satisfied with them....but if I had to do it over again I would get the 29". Wanna buy some 26's? 
The STC comes with the tires when you buy them from Wup.
The STC states heavy duty brakes....but that is up to interpetation from th AI. I have the stock mechanical drum brakes and they ALMOST make it feel like I have brakes.
WW
The STC comes with the tires when you buy them from Wup.
The STC states heavy duty brakes....but that is up to interpetation from th AI. I have the stock mechanical drum brakes and they ALMOST make it feel like I have brakes.
WW
Re: Bushwheels
Thanks for the comebacks... Cool pics Dusty!! What engine do you have?
I haven't flown in 2 years, bought a champ to get back into it.
I have very little taildragger time so it sounds like I should be comfortable with crosswind landings with little tires before I make the jump... 80% of my landings will be on pavement
I'm not ready to buy just yet WW hunter, but when I do I'll look you up..
I haven't flown in 2 years, bought a champ to get back into it.
I have very little taildragger time so it sounds like I should be comfortable with crosswind landings with little tires before I make the jump... 80% of my landings will be on pavement
I'm not ready to buy just yet WW hunter, but when I do I'll look you up..
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Roger Anderson
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Re: Bushwheels
I flew with something similar on a Super Cub for a few hours this past year. They do feel different on pavement, feeling like they are jerking or squirming some. I guess I would have gotten use to them. However, being the softer rubber, I would think that pavement would wear them out quickly.
Re: Bushwheels
I have an O-235.
If 80% of your landings are on pavement, you don't want Bushwheels. Mine have something like 30 pavement landings over 4 years, and I can see the scars of each and every one. Your tires will even scream in pain when you taxi on pavement! Look at the Goodyear blimp tires or Gar-Aero if you need bigger than 8-50s.
As far as comfort level, I wouldn't land on pavement with big soft tires unless I felt like I was wearing the airplane. I've seriously thought I was going to lose my airplane maybe 3 times, ever, and 2 of them were on pavement. I think I'm a pretty competent pilot, but big grippy tires flinging the airplane from side to side in a good gusty crosswind just ain't much fun for anybody.
If 80% of your landings are on pavement, you don't want Bushwheels. Mine have something like 30 pavement landings over 4 years, and I can see the scars of each and every one. Your tires will even scream in pain when you taxi on pavement! Look at the Goodyear blimp tires or Gar-Aero if you need bigger than 8-50s.
As far as comfort level, I wouldn't land on pavement with big soft tires unless I felt like I was wearing the airplane. I've seriously thought I was going to lose my airplane maybe 3 times, ever, and 2 of them were on pavement. I think I'm a pretty competent pilot, but big grippy tires flinging the airplane from side to side in a good gusty crosswind just ain't much fun for anybody.
Re: Bushwheels
Anyone have approval info of 26" goodyears?
On 7EC
Tom
On 7EC
Tom
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WWhunter
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Re: Bushwheels
Tom,
My reason for getting the Bushwheels was due to the issue of not being able to find approval for the 26" Goodyears. I have alike new set I bought and after trying to get them approved I found it was easier in the long run to just buy the Bushwheels with their already approved status with an accompanying STC.
My reason for getting the Bushwheels was due to the issue of not being able to find approval for the 26" Goodyears. I have alike new set I bought and after trying to get them approved I found it was easier in the long run to just buy the Bushwheels with their already approved status with an accompanying STC.
Re: Bushwheels
Did you have the 26's? how'd you like em? im thinking of getting a pair
Tom
Tom