[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