The following is an extract from AC 21-17C regarding the FAA investigation of Tundra Tires on PA-18 aircraft.

2. BACKGROUND. In Safety Recommendation A-95-13, dated February 7, 1995, the NTSB shared some of their safety concerns about tundra tires with the FAA and requested the possibility of problems with tundra tires be investigated.

The NTSB stated the following:

“Since the early 1960s, hundreds of airplanes operating in Alaska have been equipped with tundra tires, and dozens of versions of tundra tires—some exceeding 35 inches in diameter—have been marketed. The Safety Board is concerned that field approvals and STCs have been granted for use of these tires without flight test or other data on the aerodynamic effects of the tires and wheels. The Piper PA-18 is the airplane most frequently equipped with tundra tires. The Safety Board believes that the FAA should conduct a demonstration flight test to determine the effects of tundra tires on the PA-18s flight characteristics—including cruise, climb, takeoff, and landing performance—and, in both straight and turning flight, stall warning and aircraft stability at or near the critical angle of attack. Further, if the tests of the PA-18 indicate the need, the FAA should take corrective action and expand testing to other airplane types equipped with oversized tires.”

4 SUMMARY OF FLIGHT TEST RESULTS FOR PIPER PA-18 EQUIPPED WITH TUNDRA TIRES

The FAA's flight tests of tundra tires and their results are detailed in Appendix 1 following this guidance. As can be seen in the report, the tundra tire installations on the Piper PA-18 “150” caused no observable adverse effects on stall or stall characteristics during the FAA tests. Although there was some degradation of handling qualities associated with increasing the tire size, the effect was not significant for safety. Rate of climb and cruise speed was degraded with the larger tire sizes; however, the aircraft still met certification requirements. Added tests conducted by an independent Designated Engineering Representative (DER) flight test pilot showed the same lack of effect on stall characteristics with the main landing gear fabric covering removed. It should be remembered that these results are valid only for the Piper PA-18 “150” and for tires no larger than those tested. It should also be noted that, although tundra tires did not cause a safety problem, the stall characteristics of the basic Super Cub (and most other airplanes) make low altitude turning stalls hazardous, especially in uncoordinated flight. Also although washout was not varied during these flight tests, previous FAA experience has shown that stall characteristics are further aggravated when operators of the PA-18 remove the 2.5 degrees of washout at the wing tip, which is not an approved change. This condition will result in a rapid roll when the airplane is stalled during turning flight.

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