How Many Landings Do Airplane Tires Last: Have you ever wondered about the lifespan of landing gear tires? Apart from seaplanes, most airplanes have several tires as part of their landing gear assemblies. Take the Boeing 777, for example, which boasts more than a dozen tires. These tires are specifically designed to absorb the impact of landings and safeguard the aircraft’s body from any potential damage.
While landing gear tires are essential for safe landings, they are not meant to last forever. Just like car tires, they come with a set lifespan.. With repeated landings, the tread material gradually wears down, which can potentially compromise the tire’s integrity.
How Many Landings Do Airplane Tires Last
200 to 400 Landings
Landing gear tires on commercial airplanes typically endure between 200 to 400 landings before needing to be replaced. With each landing, the tires experience wear and tear. These tires are equipped with tread grooves that help create traction by gripping the runway surface upon touchdown.
Over time, the tread on landing gear tires will slowly deteriorate. Typically, these tires are constructed from conductive rubber. The constant friction and heat produced during landings will cause the tread to diminish. Eventually, the traction will weaken due to the lack of tread. Even if the landing gear tires remain undamaged, a smooth surface will prevent them from providing sufficient traction.
Variables That Determine the Lifespan of Landing Gear Tires
The lifespan of landing gear tires can be influenced by various factors, and one of them is the weight of the aircraft. As the airplane gets heavier, its landing gear tires tend to wear down more quickly. With a maximum takeoff weight exceeding 700,000 pounds, the 777 puts a significant amount of pressure on its tires during landings.
The quantity of tires on an airplane is a factor in determining their durability. Small airplanes often have three landing gear tires, while larger airplanes can have upwards of twelve. The increased number of tires helps evenly distribute the weight of the airplane, potentially increasing the lifespan of the tires.
Replacing vs Retreading
Commercial airlines cannot simply discard landing gear tires when they become heavily worn. Instead, they frequently opt to retread the tires to extend their lifespan.
Retreading involves removing the remaining tread from a tire and replacing it with fresh tread. This practice significantly prolongs the lifespan of landing gear tires. Moreover, retreading a worn tire usually comes at a lower cost compared to replacing it. Commercial airlines often opt to have their landing gear tires retreaded after approximately 200 to 400 landings, allowing them to continue utilizing the tires.
Pre Flight Check
The safety of a flight is undeniably dependent on the condition of the aircraft tires.
Tires are inspected before each take-off by the pilot and an airframe technician. During this inspection, they focus on identifying any damages caused by FODs or signs of wear. In addition to wear, tread depth is a crucial factor to evaluate. Typically, 0.06 to 0.09 inches (1.59 – 2.38 millimeters) are sufficient for the tire to pass the inspection.
Conclusion
- Aircraft tires have a lifespan of 200 to 400 landings, which can vary depending on factors like the type of aircraft and the conditions it operates in.
- There are several factors that can influence when you should change your tires. These include the weather conditions, any damage to the runways, debris on the runways, and the effects of extreme temperature changes on the tires.
- Ensuring the safety of flights, the condition of aircraft tires plays a vital role. Therefore, they undergo thorough inspection for any signs of wear or possible damage before each take-off.
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