Wheel...pants and things...

[killbilly]

Got a general-delivery email from one of the places I rent sometimes, reminding pilots of their responsibilities to check tires, etc, and that if they eff up the airplane, that's their responsibility, too - this came from a good guy, solid CP and I have no problem with solid reminders like this. Pre-flight inspections are important - we all agree on this.

As I was reading it, I realized that I've never given more than a cursory inspection to a tire if there were wheel pants on it. Basically, all you can see is if the tire is low...unless you roll the plane a few feet, you can't examine the whole tire for cord wear. And, perhaps shame on me, but I've never done that, nor seen anyone do that nor been shown any other way to do it.

Is there some inspection technique for this I'm not aware of?

I've also never seen anyone check the tire pressure on a GA airplane - nor have I done so. I've done the Mk 1 eyeball thing and said, "That looks low. Need air," but beyond that, I've never bothered...

I'm starting to study for the CSEL. Want to up my game. Little things matter and if there's something I can do better in this realm, I'd like to know.

 

[Cptnchia]

Hmm, never thought about it. I just look at tire pressure. Course, I'm the only one who flies this:

So I know if anyone flat spots a tire. Maybe get one of those mirrors on a stick and a flashlight to check the tread?

 

[Jett]

Rolling the plane forward from the parking spot to check previously hidden tread is always good technique. Actually checking the pressure is as well, though I can't think of any examiner who has expected it.

Try not to do this...
https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=iGM2G0IXbRk

 

[CoffeeIcePapers]

The thing about rental/flight school tires is that you never know when someone stood on the brakes (or were holding the brakes before touching down), which would put a bad flat spot, possibly enough to show cords, that wouldn't be apparent at first glance.

 

[Cptnchia]

The thing about rental/flight school tires is that you never know when someone stood on the brakes (or were holding the brakes before touching down), which would put a bad flat spot, possibly enough to show cords, that wouldn't be apparent at first glance.

Maybe not at first glance, but start taxiing.

"THUNK, THUNK, THUNK."

 

[Roger Roger]

I don't know why any flight school plane would have wheel pants.

 

[trafficinsight]

I don't know why any flight school plane would have wheel pants.

Real talk.

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[killbilly]

I don't know why any flight school plane would have wheel pants.

I don't disagree with the idea, but some of the owners on leasebacks seem to want them, from what I've seen so far. They exist, impractical or not.

 

[Mike Wise]

Most of the places i've rented from remove the wheel pants.

 

[Dan208B]

I don't disagree with the idea, but some of the owners on leasebacks seem to want them, from what I've seen so far. They exist, impractical or not.

Silly thing. Doing a leaseback is essentially relinquishing ALL control of your airplane anyways. You have no idea how a renter is going to treat the engine, brakes, doors, etc. One of the hardest things to keep in good condition on a cessna is wheel pants. Mains because people kick them getting in, and nose because people scratch them with towbars. I don't know why an owner would want them on unless they were the only one flying it. I have a 182 and decided to let a few other people fly it. They are all trustworthy individuals but I took the wheel pants off because I want them in good condition for resale value and they are too easy to damage.

 

[milleR]

Maybe not at first glance, but start taxiing.

"THUNK, THUNK, THUNK."

The mechanic at one of the first flight schools I worked at went to air up a flat on one of the training planes and when he removed the wheel pants there were at least five flat spots exactly like that one. It's a wonder the thing didn't blow out on landing but instead leaked down in the hangar.

 

[killbilly]

Silly thing. Doing a leaseback is essentially relinquishing ALL control of your airplane anyways. You have no idea how a renter is going to treat the engine, brakes, doors, etc. One of the hardest things to keep in good condition on a cessna is wheel pants. Mains because people kick them getting in, and nose because people scratch them with towbars. I don't know why an owner would want them on unless they were the only one flying it. I have a 182 and decided to let a few other people fly it. They are all trustworthy individuals but I took the wheel pants off because I want them in good condition for resale value and they are too easy to damage.

Again - I'm not arguing FOR wheel pants.

I'm just saying that there are some out there, and I'm wondering if there is a technique (recommended or otherwise) for inspecting the tire when there are wheel pants on the airplane.

 

[Dan208B]

Again - I'm not arguing FOR wheel pants.

I'm just saying that there are some out there, and I'm wondering if there is a technique (recommended or otherwise) for inspecting the tire when there are wheel pants on the airplane.

That's a good question. When I had them on my airplane I would just inspect what I could in the hangar each flight with a flashlight, figuring it would end up in a different spot each time. If you get down on the ground you can see a fair amount of the tire. However that was with just me flying it so I felt that I would be more aware of any issues and I know it didn't have any hard landings or anything. As a renter where you have no idea, it would probably be best to roll it a bit and inspect the rest of the tire. I realize that's a bit of a pain but if you had a tire blow and it was obvious it was already worn, the rental place might hold you responsible.

 

[ahw01]

Transparent wheel pants?

 

[somewhereupthere]

Yes kidos.. Thoroughly pre-flight your tires and brakes if able.. Wheel pants suck. Ever seen a 208 with wheel pants?

 

[CFI A&P]

Hmm, never thought about it. I just look at tire pressure. Course, I'm the only one who flies this:
View attachment 33564

So I know if anyone flat spots a tire. Maybe get one of those mirrors on a stick and a flashlight to check the tread?

Do you have the cable heel brakes? If so, I would be very impressed of a flat spotted tire in a Luscombe.


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[EIR]

Yes kidos.. Thoroughly pre-flight your tires and brakes if able.. Wheel pants suck. Ever seen a 208 with wheel pants?

Apples to oranges here. People who have wheel pants are GA flyers who fly their own aircraft and don't try and make the first turn off. They look good and and add a few knots, which makes the owner happy, at least I prefer my aircraft with pants than without. Yes, during the preflight, I do check the brake pads.

 

[Cptnchia]

Do you have the cable heel brakes? If so, I would be very impressed of a flat spotted tire in a Luscombe.


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Actually, I do have the cable heel brakes. Only useful in a final stop wherever you are going to tie own. In fairness, the only time I ever flat spotted a tire was in a C182. Was a quick learning experience. 1. How not to do it again and 2. How to change an airplane tire with the owner standing over you!

 

[kryan11]

I was faced with a similar dilemma flying a company plane. It had some pretty beefy wheel pants where you could barely see the tire. One of the tires ended up blowing out, while rolling out on landing and the FBO broke one of the wheel pants towing. They ended up having me pay for it ($500 at an FBO for one tire and tube replaced is ridiculous) and the next week they took the wheel pants off.