VSE Aviation’s new Aero Classic Blackbird tire—building on the legacy of Desser Aerospace—is poised to set a new benchmark for value and durability.

Launched on July 21, 2025 at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, the Blackbird brings a combination of premium design technology, innovative materials, and cost-saving retreadability that promises to deliver substantial benefits and the lowest cost per landing for flight schools, universities and private pilots alike.

A Next-Generation Tire for Demanding Operators

The Blackbird utilizes the latest, state-of-the-art materials and process engineering technology to deliver the best results at a great price point. The Blackbird is a fully belted, lightweight bias general aviation tire. Its high strength and lightweight tire carcass is designed for enhanced stability during taxiing, takeoff and landings, and the long wearing tread compound adds longevity to the wear characteristics built into the tire.

Blackbird tires have a generous tread depth—up to 24% deeper than competing designs—this tire offers more usable rubber, meaning operators can log more landings before replacement. The wide four-rib tread pattern gives a large contact patch for confident braking on both dry and wet runways.

Lower Cost Per Landing, Higher Value Over Time

While many tires claim longevity, the Blackbird backs it up with a design explicitly engineered for retreading. The robust belted carcass can be cycled through multiple retread processes without compromising integrity, a feature that significantly lowers cost per landing over the life of the tire.

VSE Aviation’s engineers also focused on the environmental and operational realities of flight schools—constant takeoffs, heavy crosswind landings, and high volumes of touch-and-go operations. The Blackbird’s multi-layer rubber compounds resist abrasion, UV degradation, and ozone cracking, giving it more of an edge in year-round, high-cycle use.

The result? Longer intervals between tire changes, fewer maintenance disruptions, and better predictability in operational budgets—an attractive proposition for fleet managers tasked with maximizing aircraft availability.

Engineered and Certified to Perform

Beyond the impressive technical specifications, the Blackbird carries the FAA TSO-C62d certification, demonstrating that it meets stringent standards for safety and performance. Static and dynamic testing confirmed its capability to endure the rigorous demands of general aviation environments and its ability to perform in harsh conditions without compromise.

For VSE Aviation, the Blackbird launch is about delivering premium features and value— A fully synthetic belted package, deep tread depth, long wearing tread compounds, UV stabilization—at a convenient price point for flight schools, universities and individual operators alike. In fact, when factoring in retread cycles, the Blackbird delivers the lowest cost per landing in its class.

The Aero Classic Blackbird is in two of the most popular sizes for general aviation aircraft, including:

  • 5.00-5 6 PR
  • 6.00-6-6 PR
  • 6.00-6-8 PR

These sizes cover a wide range of general aviation aircraft from Cessna 120s to 210s, Piper PA20 to 46 series, Grumman Mooney and Beech trainers to a host of other single and light twin aircraft.

Coming in Hot at Oshkosh

VSE Aviation unveiled the Blackbird to the public at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, the world’s largest aviation gathering. Attendees were able to visit and see the tire up close, speak with product experts, and learn about launch promotions—including bundle tire and tube pricing.

Operators interested in maximizing their tire investment can explore purchase and retreading options directly through shop.vseaviation.com or by calling 1-800-AIR-TIRE.

A Premium Tire, Without the Premium Price

For an industry that thrives on balancing performance with operating costs, the Aero Classic Blackbird arrives at exactly the right time. By combining next-generation construction with retreadable value, VSE Aviation has created a tire ready to meet the evolving needs of general aviation—one landing at a time.