Definition
The inner edge of the bead of an aircraft tire — the part that seats firmly against the wheel rim flange to seal and lock the tire in place.
Plain English
The inside lip of the tire's bead — the edge that presses against the wheel rim and keeps the tire seated.
Context Anchor
Seen in aircraft tire maintenance, tire mounting, wheel inspection, and descriptions of tire bead damage or seating.
Derivation
Bead' refers to the reinforced ring of wire and rubber at the edge of the tire. 'Toe' is used here in the same sense as the toe of a boot — the forward, inner tip of the bead. Together: the inner tip of the tire's bead.
Why Pilots Care
If the bead toe is damaged, dirty, or not seated correctly, the tire may not seal properly on the wheel, which can lead to air loss or unsafe tire installation.
Intuition Check
“Toe” does not mean a foot part here. It means the inner edge of the tire bead where the tire meets the wheel.
Example Sentence 1
During the inspection, the mechanic checked the bead toe for cracks or damage before remounting the tire.
Example Sentence 2
Damage to the bead toe can prevent proper seating and lead to tire slippage on the wheel.