This question stated that landing on pavement is hard on tires compared to grass, however I don't necessarily agree with that. Even if it is true the impact on the gear and other components may outweigh the benefits to the tires. This leads to the question of what is overall lower cost for takeoff and/or landing from a maintenance perspective, grass or pavement? If that cannot be determined what are the costs and benefits of each?
This question needs limits in order to avoid being too broad, so please assume these conditions:
- A tricycle gear airplane that can use either surface like a PA-28, Cessna 152/172, not something like a Mooney which is less grass friendly
- The grass surface is in reasonable shape
- Accident/incident costs are out of scope for the question