[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 125 (Thursday, June 27, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33581-33582]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-16416]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Proposed Advisory Circular (AC) 23.733-X, Tundra Tires
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of availability of Proposed Advisory Circular (AC) 
23.733-X, and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of and request for 
comments on a proposed advisory circular (AC) that serves several 
purposes. First, it summarizes the results of flight tests recommended 
by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and conducted by the 
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) investigating the effects of 
tundra tires installed on a Piper PA-18. Second, it provides 
information concerning possible hazards associated with the type of 
operations common for tundra tire users and potential adverse effects 
of untested installations. Third, it provides general information about 
the certification process for oversize ``tundra'' tires, as well as an 
example ``compliance checklist'' for the installation of such tires on 
light airplanes, which have Civil Air Regulations (CAR) part 3 for a 
certification basis.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before July 29, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Send all comments on the proposed AC to: Federal Aviation 
Administration, Attention: Standards Office, ACE-110, Small Airplane 
Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service, 601 East 12th Street, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Terre Flynn, Regulations and Policy 
Branch, ACE-111, at the address above, telephone number (816) 426-6941.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Any person may obtain a copy of this

[[Page 33582]]

proposed AC by contacting the person named above under FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT.

Comments Invited

    Interested parties are invited to submit such written data, views, 
or arguments as they may desire. Comments must identify the AC and 
submit comments to the address specified above. All communications 
received on or before the closing date for comments will be considered 
by the Standards Staff before issuing the final AC. Comments may be 
inspected at FAA, Aircraft Certification Service, Small Airplane 
Directorate, Standards Office, ACE-110, Suite 900, 1201 Walnut, Kansas 
City, Missouri, between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. weekdays, 
except Federal holidays.

Background

    In its 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 that the possibility of problems with tundra tires be 
investigated. The NTSB stated: ``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 filed 
approvals and STC's 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-18's 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.''

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 20, 1996.
Henry A. Armstrong,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-16416 Filed 6-26-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M