Larger tires on Sonex, need recommendations

Use this area for aviation related general discussions, newsworthy items, and non model specific topics.

Larger tires on Sonex, need recommendations

Postby Afsbz » Tue Feb 03, 2015 12:12 pm

For winter time flying, I would like to put some larger tires/wheels on my Sonex for winter flying that would be better in light snow conditions. I do take the wheel pants off to decrease the chance of snow/ice buildup around the wheels. Has anyone done this? I'm looking for some recommendations. In Wisconsin we generally have a lot of snow, and I fly off of a grass strip that is regularly plowed, but I think larger tires could be a benefit.
Afsbz
 
Posts: 14
Joined: Sun Nov 10, 2013 9:49 pm

Re: Larger tires on Sonex, need recommendations

Postby tonyr » Tue Feb 03, 2015 5:33 pm

I operate out of gravel, grass and rarely bitumen strips and have 5.00 x 5 Air Hawks on the standard Azura wheels.

Image

They do fit under the Sonex wheelpants with a bit of rework. I cut the underside seam opened them out about 1-1.5" at the wheel hole, then glassed in a wedge section.

Image

PS What's snow?

Cheers
Tony
Sonex #813
First Flight... 4 Oct 14
298 hours having fun!
http://sonexaus.wikispaces.com/Tony+%28Richo%29+Richardson+Sonex+813
User avatar
tonyr
 
Posts: 200
Joined: Thu Jun 27, 2013 12:50 am

Re: Larger tires on Sonex, need recommendations

Postby Afsbz » Wed Feb 04, 2015 10:46 am

Thanks for the info Tony. Snow is white, fluffy or sticky dependent on temperature and loves to hang up in wheel pants. Nice looking bird you have.
Afsbz
 
Posts: 14
Joined: Sun Nov 10, 2013 9:49 pm

Re: Larger tires on Sonex, need recommendations

Postby Sonex355 » Mon Mar 16, 2015 5:01 pm

tonyr wrote:I operate out of gravel, grass and rarely bitumen strips and have 5.00 x 5 Air Hawks on the standard Azura wheels.

[im]http://sonexaus.wikispaces.com/file/view/Richo_will_it_fly.JPG[/img]

They do fit under the Sonex wheelpants with a bit of rework. I cut the underside seam opened them out about 1-1.5" at the wheel hole, then glassed in a wedge section.

[im]http://sonexaus.wikispaces.com/file/view/Richo_aldinga1.jpg[/img]

PS What's snow?

Cheers
Tony


I have the same setup on tires, works very well.
Sonex355
 
Posts: 8
Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2015 10:32 am

Re: Larger tires on Sonex, need recommendations

Postby Darick » Mon Mar 16, 2015 8:05 pm

tonyr wrote:I operate out of gravel, grass and rarely bitumen strips and have 5.00 x 5 Air Hawks on the standard Azura wheels.


They do fit under the Sonex wheelpants with a bit of rework. I cut the underside seam opened them out about 1-1.5" at the wheel hole, then glassed in a wedge section.



Cheers
Tony


Did you use the same inner tubes or get ones for the 5.00 x 5 tires? I've read some guys have used the smaller tubes in the larger tires.
Darick Gundy
Sonex #1646
N417DG
Taildragger, Aerovee, center stick, Prince P-Tip Prop
MGL E1, F2, V6 radio, Sandia Xponder, Reserve lift indicator (AOA), iFly 520
First flight! 10/21/2017
User avatar
Darick
 
Posts: 496
Joined: Mon Aug 05, 2013 9:39 pm
Location: PA

Re: Larger tires on Sonex, need recommendations

Postby DCASonex » Tue Mar 17, 2015 1:31 pm

Did essentially same as Tony, No problems. Those pair nicely with 6" tail wheel. Using tubes for 5.00 x 5 tires, and run about 25 PSI.

David A.
DCASonex
 
Posts: 935
Joined: Mon Sep 12, 2011 8:04 pm
Location: Western NY USA


Return to General Discussion

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 76 guests