The International Cessna 170 Association

There has got to be a easy way to air up that tiny tailwheel. Scott 3200.

Please share your method with me.

Regular air hose tip just does not work smoothly. Tiny space , Fat old Fingers with Joint concerns.

No easy way. First look to see what side the valve is on then get done on the ground once on that side with the hose and air chuck ready and in reach. Take the cap off. Stick finger in and push valve to a position the air chuck will fit on while pushing on the air chuck. With an air supply over 60lb it only takes a second or two of air to exceed 35lb in these small tires.

If you have an air chuck you find too big, and you are unable to get it on the stem, remove it from your hanger and get another. If it remains in your tool box, it will surely be the one you select every time you flop on the ground to do this. Same goes for the air gauge.

I used to use valve stem extensions until I forgot to remove it. Forgot, went to push the plane out and heard a swoosh sound, snapped the valve stem at its base.
Like Bruce said, find a long headed chuck that fits or make it fit by grinding down the sides of the chuck.

I use a valve extension. Makes it very easy. You do have to remember to remove it though:)

Another vote for valve extenders. Buy the cheap black plastic ones at an auto parts place.They look like the ones below but they’re plastic. I keep several in the glove box of the plane and the car because I keep losing them or lending them out.

Proper tail wheel tire inflation is important for long tire life and proper operation.

Peter, like your graphic, I also carry slime and a spare tube...have had more than one flat little wheel and now you might say I’m paranoid

I keep a spare tail wheel and main tube and an old tail wheel tire in the plane.

Another vote for valve extenders.

If you put it on, pump it up, and take the extender right off, you hopefully won't forget it. It's a quick and easy solution.

I know of a aircraft with the same tail wheel setup we have on the 170,s but its a sky fox in the experimental category. What he has done is filled a old tail wheel tire with PRC 1422 but left a small channel in the center and filled it with a grey silastic . I have bounced it around while taxiing and it feels the same as if filled with air . I am not advocating doing this with our cessnas but I am watching with interest. The issue we have in this country we have a large thorn that grows on the ground and has 3 sides with 3 points. They go through tail wheel tires very easily. Plus the wind will blown them around also . And can make life miserable on a tarmac surface.

I use a modified 4" metal extension such as used on truck inner tires. Very easy to use and you do have to remember to remove before flight.

John

If you can find one of these straight air chucks, it works good.

I personally carry this foot-operated pump in my maintenance box in the back of the plane, and I use it to put air in the mains and tailwheel whenever needed. The pressure gauge isn't accurate (I carry a shirt-pocket one for more precise measurements) but it's small and lightweight, it fits the tailwheel without any problem, and I can carry it with me.

https://www.harborfreight.com/air-foot- ... dEQAvD_BwE

If you can find one of these straight air chucks, it works good.

Ed might have you gotten that from a WW II vet ?.

c170b53 wrote:

If you can find one of these straight air chucks, it works good.

Ed might have you gotten that from a WW II vet ?.

Jim, I can't remember where I got that thing from, have had it for a long time. Might have even been a WW I vet.

You can find the straight chucks on Amazon. Sorry, I don't have a link.