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How do you check tyre pressure?

Old 16th May 2016, 15:31
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Question How do you check tyre pressure?

Hi

As part of the pre-flight we need to check the tyre for 'proper inflation'. I was just looking at the POH for a 172 and a 182 for any references regarding what type of gauge one would use. Would a normal car tyre pressure tester work?

Any experience? Suggestion? Product recommendation?

Thanks
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Old 16th May 2016, 20:57
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first, find a certified and calibrated tyre pressure gauge. better still a nitrogen cart.
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Old 16th May 2016, 21:49
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Then after you've found the certified and calibrated tyre pressure gauge, forget about that, go back to your Aircraft and have a look at the Tyres, do they look pumped up? Excellent, continue as you were....

No offence intended Sunfish it honestly is one of those things where if it's wrong you'll see it, if it looks a little low grab a compressor and give it a pump up, nothing scary about a GA Aircraft Tyre, they're nothing special really when it comes to inflating them. Just check the pressure required and fill to that with the compressor.
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Old 16th May 2016, 22:19
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How does it go again?....."Kick the tyres, light the fires"..
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Old 17th May 2016, 00:15
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Is this still pilot allowable maintenance ???

To answer the question properly:

Aircraft tyres use a Schrader valve the same as a car. So car pressure gauges and pump fittings work.

Nitrogen is a technically better gas than air for both cars & aircraft. It doesn't permeate the rubber (ie leak) as easily as air and its heat dissipation is better. However, like cars, most GA aircraft just use air and only high performance cars / aircraft bother with it.

You'll need to check the Flight Manual for tyre pressures, but they are typically in the car domain, ie most are 35 - 50 psi. Cubs & other light aircraft are maybe 12 - 15 psi. The rule of thumb is that tyre beads become insecure on the rim below about 12 psi.

Correct pressure will enhance both wear life and braking performance.

Some aircraft require a hub cap to be removed to gain access to the valve.

The $10 gauges that you buy from the car accessory shops are not too bad in terms of accuracy. Just buy one of those. Don't trust an airline gauge (ie the service station type incorporated in the hose fitting) these are notoriously inaccurate, even before they get driven on or thrown across the workshop / hangar.

Check the tyre pressures, you may be disturbed by how low they are - not many other people check them. And do your car while you are at it.
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Old 17th May 2016, 01:39
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Old 17th May 2016, 03:27
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These days the cool kids use these but probably not legal for a Cessna.


http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/TPMS-Car-...3D131156610876

TPMS Tyre Pressure Monitoring System CAR 4WD Caravan 4 External Sensors 12V 24V | eBay
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Old 17th May 2016, 05:45
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In thirty + years of flying I've not once checked tyre pressure, save looking at the tyre condition, and observing that it "looks" ok.
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Old 17th May 2016, 07:12
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Tyre Pressure is Critical

Well I am really surprised at the comments here. Maybe they are tongue in cheek!! Correct tyre pressure is critical in respect to runway performance and braking effect. Maybe not so much in a C172 / C182 but never under estimate how important in larger aircraft. There have been a number of well publicised accidents in corporate aircraft as a result of poor runway performance resulting in fatalities.

Groggy
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Old 17th May 2016, 07:23
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Groggy, all due respect, the question was specifically asked in regards to C172 and C182 in which case, as you pointed out, is not quite so critical.
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Old 17th May 2016, 07:50
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yea, stay on subject groggy
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Old 17th May 2016, 07:55
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I'm surprised we manage to get airborne these days!

How many pages will this go for?
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Old 17th May 2016, 08:07
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Too true Capt. Fathom.
Anyway, there's an "App" isn't there?
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Old 17th May 2016, 08:14
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Make sure when you "kick the tyres" you're wearing approved pilot shoes.

I think we should discuss what shoes pilots should wear.
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Old 17th May 2016, 08:41
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LB, I believe it is generally accepted that the only "Approved Shoes" are RM Williams, they must be Black and always shiny, not more than Size 8, anything larger may cause fowling when using the Rudder Pedals and general perception of "Over Compensating", failure to comply may result in 50 Penalty Points and as always Strict Liability applies.

It is up to the CASA Inspector to determine if your shoes are of a "Shiny Enough Quality", if the day is gloomy and there is insufficient Sunshine around to make your RMs properly "Shiny" this is your fault and will not be taken into consideration by the CASA Representative, Airline Pilots will of course have the benefit of Airport Lighting at all times, GA Pilots are buggered and should have stayed indoors until the sun was shining outdoors.
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Old 17th May 2016, 09:07
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Presumably socks need approval as well?

"Fowling". Is that what happens when chickens are allowed to roam, free range, in a cockpit?
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Old 17th May 2016, 09:13
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No, the socks don't need to approved, don't be ridiculous. And yes, that's exactly what Fowling is, everyone knows Free Range Chickens are the best sort and a good chicken can fetch a nice price in the right places, always good to carry around just in case.
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Old 17th May 2016, 09:19
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Seems risky: allowing pilots to choose their own socks to wear inside the approved shoes. Surely the wrong socks could shift in flight, under G loads, resulting in inadvertent and potentially dangerous control inputs. What about blood flow?

I reckon that pilots should be required to undergo their medical examination while wearing the approved shoes and chosen socks, and there should be a law prohibiting the wearing of any other kinds of socks while exercising the privileges of the pilot's licence.
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Old 17th May 2016, 09:27
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Ixixly, CASA under the regs and Schedule 8 state that current data must be used. The current & other data require basically calibrated tools to be used and training on them.

Sorry that is the facts.
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Old 17th May 2016, 09:32
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Hear! Hear! Band a Lot.

I think CASA should be fining every private pilot who does and certifies a daily inspection without checking the tyre pressures using a calibrated pressure gauge by reference to the current approved data.

We need a compliance blitz. NOW.

By the way: What is the correct tyre pressure for a Cessna 172R on a 15 degree Celsius morning before flight?
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