airing tires

On Wed, 24 Aug 2005 16:59:30 -0500, Fly wrote:

Not often since I started using the 'airstop' tubes.
Desser tires has the best deal.

Kent Felkins


From: "Jay Honeck"
Subject: Flat Tires?
Date: Wednesday, August 24, 2005 4:51 PM

One of our least favorite jobs (thanks to our "Fancy Pants" with their
stupid, under-sized access doors) is airing up the tires on our Pathfinder.

I pull the plane back and forth while Mary fishes around for the stupid
nipple. If you want to hear a woman cuss like a sailor, just stop by the
hangar on tire-filling day!

It seems like we're having to fill the tires way too often. At least every
3 - 4 weeks, we notice that the plane has become a real bear to pull out of
the hangar, and that our take-off roll has become noticeably longer. Sure
enough, the tires will be down around 25%, from 40 to 30 lbs on the mains,
and from 30 to 23 lbs (or so) in the nosewheel.

This seems ridiculous. Is it a product of tubed tires, or do I have slow
leaks that should be fixed? Can you use "Fix-a-Flat" in aircraft tires?
(I'll bet not.)

How often do you guys have to fill your tires?

Use lots of caution when using Fix-a-Flat. By design, the product is
suppose to ONLY get you to a shop to get your tire repaired or replaced.
Fix-a-Flat is VERY bad about putting tires out of balance. Their formula
is also known to steadily destroy the rubber in which it remains in
contact. I understand they have a newer formula out, which is said not to
eat rubber, but the patch does not last anywhere near as long. Any any
rate, Fix-a-flat, reguardless of the formula should never be thought of as
anything other than a short-term fix.

Long story short...use Fix-a-flat if you are stuck and have no other
option. Otherwise, get the tire fixed or replaced before you need to use
it.

Greg