Understanding Aircraft Tires

From air pressure to the durability of retreads, here's what every owner should know about one of the most critical components of their aircraft.

Richard Scarbrough

Thursday, October 17, 2024 at 01:43 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Kimberly Johnson

[FLYING file photo]

Key Takeaways:

Aircraft tires are critical safety components, requiring strict adherence to OEM specifications for size, ply rating, and pressure, and the use of only approved parts.
Tires are prone to damage from operational conditions and external factors; daily monitoring of inflation pressure is the most critical maintenance task for safety and longevity.
Retreaded tires are a common, safe, and cost-effective choice in commercial aviation, often performing comparably or better than new tires due to a thorough re-baking process.

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Tires are a critical component of your aircraft. Knowing the exact specifications is vital to flying-approved and safe operation. Failure to maintain them could eventually create severe consequences.

Aircraft did not start off with tires, or even wheels, for that matter. The Wright Flyer did not use landing gear. Instead, the launching rail system consisted of four 15-foot two-by-fours totaling 60 feet.