Testimonials
All professionals in this business know and value elements such as safety, reliability, and costs and the quick solution requested by unforecasted events happening from time to time. For all these reasons, I feel safe using Michelin tyres.
--Senior Buyer
Major southern European airline.
MICHELIN® tires continue to perform exceptionally well for our busy operation. Three of our aircraft have a combined total of over 6600 cycles per, and we have never had a tire failure. The tire life exceeds that of any other tire we have used plus they require very little attention after installation saving us a bundle.
--Parts Manager
A large Wisconsin company
I own a small engineering company and have owned five airplanes. I was told when I bought my first plane back in 1993 that Goodyear Flight Customs (Custom IIs) were the way to go. I used them on my first three airplanes over an eight-year period. The tire performed decently, and I saw about 400 hours per tire being the average for my type of flying (85 percent cross country, 15 percent training or short hops). My last plane with these tires was an A36, which needed three new tires in the two years and 350 hours I owned it.
I bought a A36 Bonanza in late 2001. It was equipped with MICHELIN® Air® tires. I had the plane for 700 hours. When I sold it in late 2006, it still had good tread depth on two of the original three tires, with no rubber degradation. I had to replace the other tire after 600 hours, as a friend of mine who flew it had a not-so-perfect landing and slightly flat-spotted it. With rare exception, the tires never needed air added. I recently spoke to the new owner of the A36 Bonanza, and he finally replaced one of the other tires at 750 hours because he picked up a screw in the tire due to construction at his airport. The third tire is still going strong after 750 hours.
I recently purchased another Bonanza that happened to come with MICHELIN® Air® tires already on it. That was a plus in my book. In fact, I noticed that the folks at Beechcraft choose MICHELIN® Air® tires for their new G36 Bonanzas and G58 Barons, probably since they want the plane to speak to high quality. I feel confident that based on the nearly double life expectancy I have seen from the MICHELIN® tires versus the Goodyears, I will continue using them. Even given the slightly higher prices, these tires hardly wear, and handle just as good or better than other tires I’ve used. I find them extremely reliable, robust, and just the best value.
--Satisfied Customer
Flying is a way of life in the world of professional golf. Last year, my flight crew and I decided to switch to MICHELIN® radial tires for my Jetstar, and I cannot believe how long they are lasting. Not only that, the ride is noticeably smoother than we’ve experienced with our previous tires. From now on, we'll be flying with Michelin®.
--Chi Chi Rodriguez
Professional Golfer
The MICHELIN® tires that came as original equipment on our new Cessna Sovereigns really blew me away. I had heard that it was possible to get in access of 500 landings on a set of main tires, but I was a bit skeptical to say the least. In the past, we had operated numerous types of aircraft, and the normal tread wear seemed to be around 250 landings. To double the landings seemed like pie in the sky, but that's what we did. What a pleasant surprise to find a manufacturer still trying to be the best and continuing to improve their product. In these times when the dollar rules everything, Michelin® is still making a great product. Keep up the great work.
--Bob Runkle
Chief of Maintenance
At Abbott Laboratories Inc., we have been using MICHELIN® nose tires on our Gulfstreams for many years with great success. When we purchased a new Hawker 800XP in 2001, it seemed fitting to give the MICHELIN® tires a try on that on that aircraft as well. We are very pleased with the extended life the MICHELIN® tires provide us, but the most impressive factor is the customer support we have gotten over the years. Michelin® truly listens to their customers and responds to their requests. Thank you, Michelin®, for a great product and support team.
--Bob Francisco
Chief of Maintenance
Abbott Laboratories Inc.
Air Care sold its first set of MICHELIN® tires to one of our base customers who is well-known for his fast approaches and hot landings. Your basic WW II fighter pilot fantasy profile. Tire life expectancy was always minimal at best. We suggested he try a set of MICHELIN® Air® tires. That's all it took. The MICHELIN® tires far outperformed his previous tires in total number of cycles and, according to him, provided a better, more solid feel on the runway.
Since then, Air Care has gone on to sell most of our customers MICHELIN® tires. Air Care is known for its commitment to safety and quality. We consider all of our customers part of our Air Care Family. As such, we are proud to be recognized as an Authorized Michelin® Service Center. Now, if we can just sell a set of MICHELIN® tires to the new pilot making the fast touch-and-goes on our "carrier deck," we'll have earned another satisfied customer.
--Air Care
Rocky Mount, NC
Lithuanian Airlines Technical Division has experience of dealing with a number of the Aircraft LG Tire Suppliers and Retreading Service Providers. The excellent service and support Michelin® provides has led to our decision to concentrate primarily on cooperation with Michelin®. As a customer-oriented supplier, Michelin® provides product with good value for money and reliable services which allow Lithuanian Airlines to expand wheels and brakes services 25 percent annually.
--Lithuanian Airlines
We operate three corporate Beech 1900Ds on an airline schedule, and we have found that MICHELIN® tires have saved us both time and money. We began using MICHELIN® tires several years ago, and noticed right away that we were achieving significantly higher cycle times on our tires. As a bonus, we also found that MICHELIN® Aircraft tires required much less attention between tire changes. They never need air. We are very happy with our MICHELIN® tires.
--Wisconsin Corporate Operator
When you have a choice, you go with the best. That's why we entrusted our new Airbus fleets to Michelin® over all other bias and radial options. With MICHELIN® AIR X® radial tires we get an extra margin of reliability, superior quality, excellent product support and on-time delivery.
--US Airways
In 1992, Northwest Airlines evaluated the MICHELIN® AIR X® radial tire versus the competition's bias tire. The MICHELIN® AIR X® became the obvious choice to retrofit our fleet, based on total cost, improved landing performance, lower weight and increased on-wing reliability. In the seven years since that decision, Northwest has had the opportunity to validate the total cost of operation with actual performance data. The result is the MICHELIN® AIR X® met or exceeded original expectations. The optimal solution remains the MICHELIN® AIR X® radial tire for our 70 A320s and soon-to-be delivered 50 A319 aircraft.
--Northwest Airlines
I've been using MICHELIN® Aircraft tires for years and find that they provide superior braking and far better wear than any other brand that I've tried. In addition, MICHELIN® Aircraft Inner Tubes are a major improvement over anything else on the market. Prior to switching brands, I needed to add air into my tires every two weeks. Now with MICHELIN® Aircraft Inner Tubes, I can go for a month or more needing only a pound of air at most. Better service, longer life and time and effort saved spells superior value in my book.
--Mark Patiky
Aviation Journalist