Aircraft need specialized tires to withstand extreme forces during takeoff and landing. Aircraft tires are specially designed to operate under conditions that ordinary automobile or truck tires could never withstand. Let's take a closer look at aircraft tire design, construction and maintenance.

Tire Construction

Aircraft tires have a very robust construction compared to automobile tires. They consist of multiple layers to withstand the extreme forces of impact during landing and takeoff.

The outer tread is made of tough rubber compounds that provide traction on the runway surface. Deep tread patterns are used to efficiently channel away rain, slush or contaminants. The tread also has to withstand abrasion from extended use on rough runways.

Under the tread are several reinforcement plies made of steel or synthetic cords oriented at different angles for maximum strength. These plies provide structure and take the brunt of impact forces. Typically 6-10 plies are used depending on the aircraft weight class.

The inner liner protects the multiple plies and tube from punctures. Aircraft tires are usually tubeless for reduced weight and maintenance. The sidewalls are reinforced with additional plies and rubber to resist impacts from runway debris.

A separating layer called the gum strip isolates the belt plies from the tread to prevent cracking. Nylon or polyester cords in the belt reinforce the crown area taking maximum load. Extra plies may be added in the bead area for strength during wheel/tire assembly.

Inflation and Pressure Monitoring

Aircraft tires require very precise inflation pressures ranging from 50-250 psi depending on the tire size and aircraft weight. Low pressure can cause tire overheating, damage and blowouts on landing.

Modern tires have incorporated pressure and temperature monitors inside using Bluetooth or wireless technology. This allows pilots and mechanics to remotely monitor tire health and pressure in real time for safety. Alerts are triggered for low pressure or excess heat build up before failures occur.

Landing and Braking Forces

On landing, an aircraft tire experiences forces up to 6 times the aircraft weight. During braking, the tire tread must withstand tremendous friction heating without degradation or damage. The tire structure has to remain intact under these extreme loads without failing.

Proper tire maintenance like regular pressure checks and tread depth measurement are crucial to ensure they can handle short field landing/takeoff requirements on certain aircraft. Premature tread wear indicates possible wheel alignment issues that need correction.

Regulations and Inspections

Aircraft operators must adhere to stringent maintenance regulations set by authorities like the FAA. Tires need to be replaced based on calendar age limits or time in service rather than tread wear alone.

Regulatory inspections involve checking for cracks, cuts, embedded debris, damage to the carcass or sidewalls. Any issues require tire replacement well before failures could occur. Detailed inspection records must be maintained.

Special Considerations for Large Aircraft

Larger aircraft like airliners use massive low pressure tubeless radial tires that can be over 7 feet tall. They weigh several hundred pounds each and require specialized equipment for maintenance in the hangar.

Clearance and weight issues mean on-aircraft servicing is not feasible. Sections of the wheel and tire assembly have to be removed individually. These "mega tires" use additional tread width and ply reinforcement to handle severe weights over 1,000,000 lbs during operations.

Conclusion

Aircraft tires rely on their tires as the only contact point with the runway surface. Modern tire technology and strict maintenance ensure safe operations even in demanding conditions. The robust multi-ply construction allows them to withstand extreme loads far exceeding automobile tires for critical take-off and landing phases. Continuous technological improvements aim to make aircraft tires even more durable and reliable.