Definition
The rubber tires mounted on the wheels of an aircraft's landing gear, which support the aircraft's weight on the ground and absorb impact during landing, taxi, and takeoff. Servicing these tires — including checking pressure, inspecting for wear, and replacing them — is one of the preventive maintenance tasks a certificated pilot is permitted to perform on an aircraft they own or operate, under the limits set by 14 CFR Part 43.
Plain English
The tires fitted to the wheels the airplane rolls on. Looking after them — checking pressure, inspecting them, and changing them when needed — is one of the simple maintenance jobs a pilot is allowed to do themselves.
Context Anchor
Seen during preflight inspection, maintenance records, and preventive maintenance discussions about inspecting or replacing aircraft tires.
Why Pilots Care
Proper condition of landing gear tires directly affects directional control on the ground and reduces the risk of tire failure during high-speed operations.
Intuition Check
Do not treat landing gear tires as ordinary car tires. On an aircraft, they are approved aircraft parts and their condition matters directly to safe taxiing, takeoff, and landing.
Example Sentence 1
Before a long trip, the owner-pilot checked the landing gear tires for proper inflation and even tread wear.
Example Sentence 2
The mechanic replaced one of the nose landing gear tires as part of scheduled preventive maintenance.