Bodell wheels

[Joen6171b]

Does anybody have a copy of the STC for the Bodell wheel STC for the Pipers. I want to know what tire size I can legally install on my PA-15 with the six inch bodell wheels. I don't have a copy of the STC so I don't know what it says. Looking to install 8.00x6 tires.

[soaringhiggy]

Joe;

Do you have the Bodell's at this point?

The reason that I ask is that I wanted to put them on my Stinson and called and called, was promised and promised information, costing etc. This went on for 6 months before I just went and got Cleveland wheels and brakes. One call one order and at my doorstep in 3 days.

Personally I would avoid the Bodell system as it seemed to be a black pit of despair.

I have all the information for Stinson's but I can not help with pipers sorry.

Dane

[Joen6171b]

Wheels have been on the airplane since the mid 80's. I can't answer my A&P's question of what tires can be legally installed on the airplane. I Have the 337 and it lists the STC, I don't have a copy of the STC itself, just was wondering if the actual STC paperwork list the tire size that can be installed.

[soaringhiggy]

The people tha now have Bodell are:

Skybound Manufacturing, Inc.
Suppliers of Bodell Brakes for General Aviation
6910-A Buford Highway Doraville, Georgia 30340
Tel 770-446-6797 Fax 770-242-6263

Good luck, I hope that you have a lot more luck working with this bunch of people than I did. I hope you even get them to answer the phone.

Dane

[Joen6171b]

Nice Lady from skybound answered the phone. She said that the STC does not specifcally list any size tires for the airplane. She said I could install whatever size tire I wanted that fits a six inch rim. I agree but I need to see that in writing to show my A&P.

[Littlecub]

I agree but I need to see that in writing to show my A&P.

Has it really gotten this bad?
Has the FAA (and its designated licensees-by FAA direction) gotten so caught up in-and compulsive about-fine minutia?
'Once upon a time' the FAA was all about PROMOTING flying and getting their licensees to use common sense applying commonly taught principles......
Not just mechanics and engineers-but pilots and their AMEs, too.
Now, it seems, we have effort to have an enforceable regulation or rule to apply to any and possible situations-with triplicate paperwork involved.....

No wonder flying has gotten SO expensive.
lc

Sorry about the 'hijack'......

[Joen6171b]

I just had a nice talk with the folks at the ROC FSDO, they were very friendly and helpfull. They said if there is no documents saying you can't install a certain size tire, your not breaking any regs. That is the case here.

I guess I have to save my pennies for the 29inch alaska bush tires.

[hotrod150]

I just had a nice talk with the folks at the ROC FSDO, they were very friendly and helpfull. They said if there is no documents saying you can't install a certain size tire, your not breaking any regs. That is the case here.
.....

That seems like an over-simplification to me. I would say that if the Bodell paperwork doesn't specify tires sizes, you are still bound by what the TCDS says. If it says 600x 6 or 700x6, but doesn't mention anything else, I would say that you can (legally) put on 700 or 800's. Just because the TCDS doesn't say you can NOT install 850's, doesn't mean they are approved.
That being said, I don't think just installing a set of 800's is that big of a deal. Do it yourself i your hangar. Then if your IA is nervous about signing off the airplane with those tires on it, talk to your local FAA inspector about a field approval.

[AKGrouch]

Not trying to nitpick, but the wheels used with the Bodell brakes are the George M. Adams wheels......that is, unless Skybound bought that STC also.

[whee]

I just had a nice talk with the folks at the ROC FSDO, they were very friendly and helpfull. They said if there is no documents saying you can't install a certain size tire, your not breaking any regs. That is the case here.
.....

That seems like an over-simplification to me. I would say that if the Bodell paperwork doesn't specify tires sizes, you are still bound by what the TCDS says.

Think hotrod is right; if the STC doesn't say anything about tire size then you are stuck with what the TCDS says.

[Joen6171b]

The TCDS says 8.00x4

how can I install those tires on six inch wheels??????????

[Joen6171b]

I just had a nice talk with the folks at the ROC FSDO, they were very friendly and helpfull. They said if there is no documents saying you can't install a certain size tire, your not breaking any regs. That is the case here.
.....

That seems like an over-simplification to me. I would say that if the Bodell paperwork doesn't specify tires sizes, you are still bound by what the TCDS says.

Think hotrod is right; if the STC doesn't say anything about tire size then you are stuck with what the TCDS says.

Thats the whole point of the issue. I can't install 8.00x4 on a six inch wheel.

[hotrod150]

In that case, this suggestion still applies:

....That being said, I don't think just installing a set of 800's is that big of a deal. Do it yourself in your hangar. Then if your IA is nervous about signing off the airplane with those tires on it, talk to your local FAA inspector about a field approval.

I've seen bigger "gray area" deals than this just signed off by the IA, or better yet just kind of ignored in the paperwork, and haven't heard about any real repercussions from doing either.