How do an Airplane's Tires Help It Land Safely?

Have you ever flown in an airplane? If so, you have felt that funny bump when you touch down at the end of the journey. But have you ever wondered how airplane tires handle all that stress and pressure? Why don’t they burst on contact with the hard runway? Well, airplane tires need to be specially designed. Thanks to their design, they are strong enough to stay intact during takeoff and landing.

Did you know?

Airplane tires are made by hand.

Airplane tires are very different from car, truck or bicycle tires. In fact, airplane tires have about as much in common with these tires as they do with running shoes! They are all made of rubber. They all contain air. They all provide support and cushioning for what’s on top of them. But that's where the similarities end.

When a plane lands, airplane tires have to support the weight of the airplane and all the people in it.

Did you know?

The passengers and cargo in an airplane are called the payload. 

Airplane tires have to deal with enormous forces when the plane lands. They especially have to deal with friction. Friction occurs when two surfaces move against each other, like when you rub your hands together.

Airplane tires create friction when they hit the runway. This friction generates heat. It also and wears down the outside layer of the tire. Because of this, airplane tires are reinforced with strong, flexible materials. One of these materials is a super-strong plastic called Kevlar. Kevlar is strong, flexible, heat-resistant and lightweight.

It’s important for airplane tires to be flexible. Flexibility lets airplane tires absorb more of the shock of landing. Flexibility also slows the wearing down of tires.

Airplane tires also have conducting strips built into the tire grooves. These strips discharge any electric charges that may have built up. This is important. If static electricity were to build up during takeoff or landing, it could cause a spark. A spark could ignite the fuel in the plane!

Airplane tires are also protected by what’s inside. Usually, they are filled with nitrogen. Nitrogen is a non-flammable gas. It doesn’t corrode the metal parts of a plane. Nitrogen also doesn’t oxidize (break down) the rubber in the tires. The tires themselves are made from at least three layers of rubber. Each layer is laid down in a different direction. This makes the tire stronger and gives it better traction when it lands.

Airplane tires also have six times more pressure than car tires do.

But airplane tires are more than just rubber (and Kevlar). They can have 14 different parts. Each of these parts serves a specific purpose in making takeoffs and landings safer and easier.

The typical airplane tire can go through about 500 landings before it needs to be repaired. Usually, the top layer of tread is simply peeled off and replaced with new tread. That way, the other parts don’t need to be replaced.That’s a good thing, because the other parts are very expensive.

So the next time you see an airplane in the sky, think about its tires. Remember, there is a lot of engineering that goes into them. This helps the plane take off and land safely!