Aircraft tyres

[Dr Jekyll]

Why do aircraft tyres have tread running around the circumference but not across the tyre, while car and bike tyres always seem to have either diagonal tread patterns or tread running at around 90deg to the direction of travel?


EG Aircraft tyres


Car tyres

[SlipStream77]

Perhaps something to do with traction?

Aircraft wheels are not driven, so I presume the longitudinal grooves only provide some kind of lateral stability.

I thought they might have had some lateral grooves for water dissipation though..

[munroman]

I presume aircraft don't need much lateral grip, and also the tyres get regrooved, so much easier to regroove straight lines.....

[Kenty]

Because they don't need to grip when cornering!

[mikR]

They don't need them as most (major) runways are "grooved"

[Kirk280]

I did a couple of flights in the cockpit pre 9/11, and I asked the Captain the same question on a pre flight inspection. They are just wear indicators, apparently. On the second flight the tyres were changed after we landed - it was an impressive jack!

[Simpo Two]

I thought the diagonal treads on car tyres were to disperse water. That would be useful for aeroplanes too...

[mrloudly]

Simpo Two said:

I thought the diagonal treads on car tyres were to disperse water. That would be useful for aeroplanes too...

Runways are grooved aircraft tyres ain't. More rubber on the floor to haul her up with ;-)

[Simpo Two]

mrloudly said:

Runways are grooved aircraft tyres ain't. More rubber on the floor to haul her up with ;-)

But if the runway is grooved you still lose surface area... just that the groove is on the ground rather than on the tyre. Or am I missing something?

[Hard-Drive]

It helps with traction on conveyor belts...

[RobGT81]

Kirk280 said:

I did a couple of flights in the cockpit pre 9/11, and I asked the Captain the same question on a pre flight inspection. They are just wear indicators, apparently. On the second flight the tyres were changed after we landed - it was an impressive jack!

They are used to indicate wear, much the same as a road tyre. We used to change them if 2 of the 3 grooves were disappearing.

[Hooli]

Hard-Drive said:

It helps with traction on conveyor belts...