About Us
AIR CTI is an acronym adopted when the company was formed in 1998.
It stands for:
AIR IN RUBBER CENTRAL TYRE INFLATION.
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Since 1998 until this day, the primary activity of the company continues, namely, to help vehicle tyres to operate at the highest possible efficiency for the longest possible time to provide better outcomes with safety, driver health, environmental impacts, vehicle cost savings, infrastructure savings and community benefits.
AIR CTI was created and financed solely by Chet Cline. A big task in any business. Without any partners or financial backers, just lots of hard work, AIR CTI began multiple decades ago, and in 1998, it launched a world-leading Central Tyre Inflation System (CTIS) known as AIR CTI. Mr. Chet Cline, a multi-skilled expert in machining, welding, heavy truck mechanics, and engineering, recognized that existing CTIS options were unreliable, heavy, complicated, and expensive. Local logging transport demonstrated the benefits of CTIS, despite frequent repairs and system errors. To improve CTIS, Chet travelled across Australia, from Western Australia to New South Wales, gathering feedback from drivers and owners about what didn't work, broke down, or wore out in existing systems.
Australia, with its high costs for trucks, tyres, and fuel, proved to be an ideal testing ground for CTIS. The need to save money was paramount, and despite the initial expense, CTIS saved money and improved safety. Logging trucks highlighted CTI's value, with customers praising the smoothness of their tyres and the reliability of the system. However, existing systems had numerous flaws, such as dirt-prone bearings, weak mounts, overly long tyre hoses, and complex control systems. AIR CTI addressed these issues, offering a more reliable and user-friendly solution that transformed the transport industry.
“I wouldn’t drive a log truck without CTI.”
AIR CTI developed advanced short rotators with larger bearings and multiple layers of protection for durability. They improved mounting systems, custom-cut tyre hoses, and introduced self-sealing quick connects for easy tyre changes. Tough drop pipes and invented isolators which enhanced safety, while simplified control systems and compact dash displays improved usability
Costs were halved and guarantees tripled.
Decades of operation have refined components, tested over thousands of miles of harsh conditions. AIR CTI dominates the Australian market with over 95% of logging trucks using CTIS, and systems also operate in Asia, Europe, and North America. Besides logging, their CTIS benefits power line support trucks, bulk grain trucks, gravel trucks, agitators, fertilizer spreaders, and road trains.
Meet Chet - The Inventor
In 2022, Mr. Chet Cline passed away (parked up), leaving a legacy of innovation. His family and team at AIR CTI are committed to continuing his unique vision and inventive spirit.
I am Chet Cline. Thank you for this opportunity to introduce you to my company (Chet’s Professional Services Pty Ltd trading as AIR CTI), and it’s unique approach to improving transport efficiency. Efficiency is my passion and since the late 60’s, I’ve been dedicated to improving efficiency but also leading the way in the development of new technologies and I guarantee my development. I aim to improve business bottom line, the health of drivers and keep the environment free from unnecessary waste. Over decades of modifying, tuning, testing, and driving motor vehicles of all types, from motor cycles to heavy trucks and dozers, our experience, pushing the envelope, is embedded in our products. Knowledge without experience is not ideal and can be dangerous. The following information combines decades of experience, and numerous lifetimes of feedback and knowledge, to provide solid knowledge and the hard data you need to make an informed decision. AIR CTI is committed to technology & reliability, creating a robust system that is a quality product in all conditions and extremes. AIR CTI has a solution that fits your needs, and the team looks forward to improving your business, your life, your health, and your bottom line. We are happy to provide the expertise to enable you to have informed response. With my very best regards Mr. Chet Cline Inventor and Developer
Work Smarter Not Harder
"Mr Chet (Chester) Cline was placed on this earth to invent and to make a difference. Chet worked extremely hard to achieve excellence in all he touched.
Chet had a vision ‘to change the world’ and remained passionate in his endeavours to create positive business outcomes and savings for truck drivers, recreational drivers and the transport industry. The philosophy Chet created remains embedded into the AIR CTI business journey and how the team work daily.
As with any journey travelled you need to eventually ‘park up’. My soul mate ended his road trip of life in January 2022, from cancer.
I am Wendy Cline. I have had the privilege of being married and working side by side with Chet which was easy due to having common values and philosophies in life.
Thank you for your time taken to read my message and in parting I echo what Chet would always say:
‘I never did a day’s work in my life. It was all fun’. "
- Mrs Wendy Cline
Understanding Central Tyre Inflation History
1940 – 1947 - CTIS (Central Tyre Inflation System)
General Motors developed the first CTIS vehicle, the 2.5-ton 6x6 DUKW 353 amphibious landing craft, for WWII. This vehicle had a pantograph central tyre inflation system (externally plumbed lines to each tyre controlled by a regulator and fed by an electric compressor). The “Duck” was a very successful vehicle, especially during the invasion of Italy in 1943-44. CTISs were also developed for larger amphibious vehicles, such as the 15- Ton Goer “Super Duck”, the Drake, and the Larc 60 (60 Ton).
The technology was distributed to allies through the “Lend-Lease” program and the USSR started mass producing trucks based on the Studebaker truck design and CTIS at the large ZIL truck plant south of Moscow.
The previous brief history of variable tyre pressure technology was prepared by Allan Bradley of FPInnovations FERIC-Division, and reviewed by Brian Spreen of TPC International Ltd and Ed Gililland of the US Forest Service San Dimas Technology & Development Center.
