R
Rutus
My second annual inspection is due soon, at about 135 hours TTAF (I know, I know - gotta fly more). I have about 225 landings on it, some of them smooth and (ahem) some not, and almost all on pavement.
The original Van's tailwheel appears to be in pretty good shape, with fairly even wear, except that I see what appears to be a slight crack or discontinuity in the rubber, running all the way around the circumference and right at the centerline of the "tread" - almost like what you would see if there were a seam joining two halves of the tire.
Is this normal? A hazard? I cannot tell how deep it goes, or whether it is a problem or not, and am wondering if it is safest just to toss the old one and swap a new one in during the annual.
The original Van's tailwheel appears to be in pretty good shape, with fairly even wear, except that I see what appears to be a slight crack or discontinuity in the rubber, running all the way around the circumference and right at the centerline of the "tread" - almost like what you would see if there were a seam joining two halves of the tire.
Is this normal? A hazard? I cannot tell how deep it goes, or whether it is a problem or not, and am wondering if it is safest just to toss the old one and swap a new one in during the annual.