AK IA to help with 26" tire 337

[sea1dww]

I will be in Alaska for two weeks in mid July. I would enjoy meeting with members of the "Frozen Chosen" Alaska contingency of the 170 asociation. My father (an old AK PA-12 pilot) will be with me and we will try to travel a lot of the state. I would also like to find a mechanic who is on good terms with the FSDO up there so that I can get the Goodyear 26" tundra tire 337 mod signed off on my 170. Any suggestions? See you in July.

Dave

[hilltop170]

Dave-
Are the 26" Goodyears already on your plane, will you have them with you for installation in Alaska, or do you intend to install them when you get home assuming you get the 337 approved? The answer to that will make a difference on whether an IA will help you.
Richard

[tunraflyer]

I will help yaif I can from bethel, I will talk to my faa pmi about aproving them on my own acft also, I have a set on my 140(approved) and will work on trying to get them approved(on my 170b) I am also going to try a set of 29 inch garaeros and have the paperwork done before summer, the faa has a tundra tire work sheet to use i can get you a copy when i see a maint fed here in bethel, tundra tires are easier to get approved then most other 337 items anymore. It will require inspection of acft to see that it hasnt been modified( IE travel on controll surfaces hasn't been changed) you will also have to test fly acft at gross weight with forward most cg and also agian at gross wieght with aft most cg. then there is a sticker you sign and install in acft log book, this is of corse on top of the usual stuff of a 337 and weight and balance change.

[sea1dww]

I intend to purchase the tires and tubes while I am in Alaska. I will have them installed and a weight and balance performed while there. I will also do any flight testing as required.

Hopefully I will then be able to finish my tour of Alaska and visit our property at Icy Bay. I was raised in Anchorage. We arrived prior to statehood, survived the earthquake, and left in 67. I made the trip two years ago in a Piper Tomahawk and this year we hope to land on other than paved runways.

Dave

[Alaska Flyer]

Dave,
I have a form 337 and FAA tundra worksheet for the 26" goodyears for my C170B. Send me a fax# if you like a copy.
Udo

[hilltop170]

Call Mel Wick at Wick Air on the Palmer-Wasilla Hwy at "Four Corners" 907-745-4322. He and his guys know 170s and he has a good FAA guy and could probably take care of the whole thing other than any required test flying. He gives your money's worth and will do a good job. I used him to do all the repair work on my 170 which had only flown 400 hrs in the last 22 years and was in need of a lot of TLC. Call and talk to Mel and decide if you want him to do the job. If you do, schedule the work soon as his shop gets very busy during the summer. Practice up on short field landings, his strip is 1400' with trees on one end and power lines on the other. No problem unless the wind is blowing. Call and get a wind report from Mel before you fly in as strong cross winds are frequent. He'll tell you if it's ok or not.

[sea1dww]

Thanks for your suggestions. I look forward to seeing everyone in July. I hope we can put some kind of gathering together somewhere between Anchorage and Fairbanks. I appreciate the responses and I will make the phone calls to get this done.

regards

Dave

[sea1dww]

Well I've decided to go with new wheels and discs with the 26" tires. Used wheels were nearly as expensive by the time I added new disks and bearings. I've also decided on new disks and pads for my 6.00 x 6 tires and wheels. The only hiccup is that the tires are back-ordered till june due to the strike Goodyear had last year. So I am on hold till my tires and tubes arrive.

In the mean time my annual is coming up and I've decided on all new control cables (as mine are showing some wear) and a new tailwheel leafspring assembly. I'm getting the elevator and rudder reskinned soon and I don't want a broken tailwheel spring and a wildly moving tailwheel to mess it all up.

Dave

[hilltop170]

Dave-
If you do have any trouble with the plane while you're in Alaska there are many competent shops all over the state that will be glad to help you.

Depending on how much you fly and what environmental conditions exist where you keep the plane, chrome disks are just a little more and will not rust. Just a suggestion.