I own a small engineering company and have owned 5 airplanes. I was always told when I bought my first plane back in 1993 that Goodyear Flight Customs (Custom IIs) were the way to go and I used them on my first 3 airplanes over an 8 year period. The tire performed decently, and I saw about 400 hours per tire being the average for my type of flying (85% cross country, 15% training or short hops). My last plane of these was an A36, which in the 2 years and 350 hours I owned it, needed 3 new tires.

Then I bought my fourth airplane, another A36 bonanza in late 2001. It had Michelin Airs on it. I had the plane for 700 hours until late 2006. When I sold it, it still had good tread depth on 2 of the original 3 tires on it, with no rubber degradation (cracking)! The other tire, I had to replace after 600 hours as a friend of mine who flew it had a not-so-perfect landing and slightly flat-spotted it. Also, none of the tires nearly ever needed air added. I recently spoke to the new owner of this plane and he finally replaced 1 of the other tires at 750 hours because due to construction at his airport, he picked up a screw in the tire. The third tire is still going strong after 750 hours.

Of course my 5th plane I recently purchased (another bonanza) happened to come with Michelin Airs already on it. That was a plus in my book. In fact, I noticed that the folks at Beechcraft choose Michelin Airs 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 Michelins 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 the other tires with which I have had experience. I find them extremely reliable, robust, and just the best value especially if you want a tire that you wont have to change as often.

"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 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 continue to improve their product. In these times when the dollar rules everything you guys are still making a great product...Keep up the great work."

Bob Runkle
Chief of Maintenance

"We, at Abbott Laboratories Inc., have been using Michelin nose tires on our Gulfstreams for many years with great success; so when we purchased a new Hawker 800XP in 2001 it seemed only fitting to give the Michelin tires a try on that on this aircraft as well. We are very pleased with the extended life the Michelin tires provide us with over brand X 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.

Robert J. Francisco

"My name is Brandt Howell and I'm Manager of Aircraft Maintenance for Ashland Inc. We are located at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. We were previously using Michelin Aircraft Tires on our Falcon 50 and two Falcon 20's. We are now operating two Cessna Citation V's and are using Michelin nose and main tires. We are very pleased with the wear we are currently getting and also less cutting than the previous brand we were using. Also the pilots and passengers can really feel a smoother ride when on the taxi ways with the Michelin tires. We would not purchase any other aircraft tire but Michelin. We are in the process of ordering two new Cessna Citation XLS's and we are very pleased that the new Michelin part #M13702 (NZG) radials will be standard on these new aircraft. Once again thanks for making such a superior tire for our corporate aircraft!!"

Sincerely,

Brandt Howell

Manager of Aircraft Maintenance

Ashland Inc.

"Our company demands and deserves that their flight department maintain company aircraft at the highest level of safety and dependability. With regard to tires, I choose Michelin. The Aviator tires on our King Air and the Michelin Air X tires on our Falcons perform at maximum efficiency on all types of runway conditions. I have experienced many years of trouble free operation and have received positive feedback from the flight crews about performance. I feel confident when I put Michelin tires on our aircraft that I am getting a high quality, dependable product that will meet our high standards."

William B. Otte, Chief of Maintenance

National City Corp.

"Air Care sold it's first set of Michelin tires to one of our base customers flying a 58p Baron, 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's. That's all it took. The Michelin's 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's. Air Care is known for it's commitment to Safety and Quality. We consider all our customers as 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's to the new pilot flying the King Air/B25 Tokyo Raider making the fast touch and goes on our "carrier deck" we'll have earned another satisfied customer."

Air Care

Rocky Mount, NC

Lithuanian Airlines

Lithuanian Airlines Technical Division has experience of dealing with a number of the Aircraft LG Tire Suppliers and Retreading Service Providers. Michelin's excellent Service and support has led to our decision to concentrate primarily on cooperation with Michelin. Michelin, as a customer oriented Supplier provides product with good value for money and reliable services which allow Lithuanian Airlines to expand Wheels and Brakes services 25% annually.

Lithuanian Airlines

"Uzbekistan Airways" would like to express our gratitude for the continued excellence provided by "Michelin Aircraft Tyre ". During many years of working together, "Michelin Aircraft Tyre " has always maintained the best quality and co-operation that makes our relationship stronger. " Uzbekistan Airways" remains true to the to the work of "Michelin Aircraft Tyre ". For the best co-operation and friendly relationships based on excellence ._

"We operate three corporate Beech 1900D's on an airline schedule and have found that Michelin tires have saved us both time and money. Due to a tire availability issue, 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 constructed 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 A320's, and soon-to-be delivered 50 A319 aircraft."

Northwest Airlines

"I've been using Michelin Tires for years and found that they provide superior braking and far better wear than any other brand that I've tried. In addition, Michelin tubes are a major improvement over any thing else on the market. Prior to switching brands, I would be need to add air in my tires every two weeks. Now with Michelin tubes, I can go for a month or more and need only a pound of air at most. Better service, longer life plus time and effort saved spells superior value in my book."

Mark Patiky
Aviation Journalist