Top Five Tire Tips

While generally round and black in color, thats almost all the characteristics aircraft tires have in common with their automotive siblings. In fact, a major difference is the construction and materials used in their manufacture. Aircraft tires and tubes primarily incorporate natural rubber while automotive tires use synthetic compounds extensively. Aircraft tires are designed for a very specific job and are part of the landing gear system on almost every aircraft.

A Bartlett

Tuesday, March 07, 2017 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Proper tire inflation, checked with a calibrated gauge and using appropriate gas like nitrogen, is critical for aircraft safety, performance, and preventing issues such as explosions or freezing.
Aircraft tires require specific maintenance and replacement based on condition (e.g., ozone cracking, exposed fabric), with higher-quality tires generally offering better value, durability, and safety margins.
Preventive operational practices, including protecting tires from environmental damage, using new tubes with new tires, correct assembly, and avoiding harsh braking, are essential for tire longevity and safe ground operations.
Promptly addressing issues like nose wheel shimmy, adhering to strict maintenance procedures for wheels, and exercising caution with re-capped tires are vital for overall flight safety.

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While generally round and black in color, that’s almost all the characteristics aircraft tires have in common with their automotive siblings. In fact, a major difference is the construction and materials used in their manufacture. Aircraft tires and tubes primarily incorporate natural rubber while automotive tires use synthetic compounds extensively. Aircraft tires are designed for a very specific job and are part of the landing gear system on almost every aircraft.

Properly serviced tires play a major role in the safe operation of an aircraft, and neglected tires can contribute to an accident. Since the aircraft tire is part of the landing gear system, it’s required to flex as much as three times the rate of an automotive tire during normal operation, especially landings. This flexing of the aircraft tire and the proper shock absorption of the landing gear system depend upon tires that are in good condition, of the proper size/ply rating and properly inflated. Which brings us to our first tip.