do i have to have a damper in my stove pipe with an air tight stove?

Answer 1

It depends on where you live. Here in South Jersey, no. In fact, a pipe damper on an airtight stove only makes cleaning the pipe more difficult.

Whatever you do, make d*mn sure you adhere to the local building codes. Here where I live, if your installation wasn't inspected and approved and your house burns down, the insurance company is off the hook and you're screwed, even if the woodstove didn't cause the fire.

BTW, be sure to clean the flue regularly.