Thread: Hard landings and Tundra Package

When I ordered my plane, I opted for the Tundra Package. I figured that being a new pilot, the more rugged gear might be more forgiving of less-than-perfect landings. Now it seems that the first thing that gets damaged on hard landings isn't the gear, but the motor mount. I'm wondering if getting the Tundra Package was a mistake as it's stronger gear might be more rigid and less springing than the standard gear, making it easier to damage the motor mount. Any thoughts?

Hi Jim,

You made a good choice. Don't look back or second guess yourself. I have tundra tires (only a 6.00x6 tire) and I am very happy. I know people with the smaller tires and several wish they had the larger. Some will say you lose 2-3 mph, but 2-3mph is not worth worrying about. Enjoy your plane. I only put
22 psi in my tires and they give an outstanding ride. A little less air helps with all those bumps wether caused by your landings or by a not so maintained taxiway. These tire I think are better for off field landings i.e. dirt fields, too.

Jim,

The tundra tire upgrade includes a motor mount upgrade.


Roger,

I was guessing you had standard tire/wheel because you notched your wheel pants. FDWest told me they don't need to notch wheel pants because they always order the tundra gear.

FDWest always gets the tundra gear and I believe the reason is that the CT can be hard to land and the upgrade will take more abusive paved runway landings.

Hi Ed,

I have always had the tundra tires. The wheel-pants hang so low you can not get to the straight valve stems. If FD would notch their wheel-pants and use the Airstop tubes with the 90 degree stems v.s. the straight stems they use now, checking the tire pressure would be a piece of cake. If you have either tires now and the wheel-pant is not notched then you have to at least remove the bolt that holds the wheel-pant at the axial so you can lift the wheel-pant to get at the straight stem.
The other big plus to the Airstop tubes is they are not rubber (nitrile, I believe) and are not as porus as rubber and for the most part really don't leak. They also have a coating on the inside of the tube that seals punctures, that actually works. My last set of Airstops held air for one year and did not leak down.

I like the larger tire because it does make some landings and taxi work better. For off field work the larger tire is less likely to drop as deep in a small hole as the larger tire.

Roger,

My strait valve stems are highly accessible. My wheel pants are smaller than the current ones I see but as John Dunham mentioned you have good access with the tundra package.

I like my smaller spatz much better than the current monstrosities.

I've heard that if you take those big wheel pants off your CT will be a little faster. I have aluminum tape painted yellow aft of my wheels to clean up the big opening.

Ed.....I flew mine with the main gear wheel fairings (pants) removed once, however the result was about 6 knots less airspeed.

Dave

Hi Ed,

Your wheel-pants are definitely higher than the newer models. I had heard that FD was going to slightly change their wheel-pants on newer models.
If they haven't then I want to meet the guy that can get is hand or pressure tester into our wheels. You'll see when we all come up to MMV in a few weeks.
Actually I can't wait. Looks like a great time in the making.