Definition
The single landing gear wheel located at the front of the airplane, beneath the nose, that supports the forward portion of the aircraft on the ground and provides directional control during taxi, takeoff, and landing rollout on tricycle-gear aircraft.
Plain English
The wheel under the front of the airplane. It holds the nose up off the ground and is usually steered with the rudder pedals when taxiing.
Context Anchor
Seen during the preflight inspection and any time the airplane is moving on the ground.
Why Pilots Care
The nosewheel provides directional control during taxi, takeoff, and landing; improper handling can cause loss of directional control or gear damage.
Intuition Check
Do not think of the nosewheel as something that steers the airplane in the air. It supports and may steer the airplane only while the airplane is on the ground.
Example Sentence 1
After touchdown on the main wheels, he held back pressure on the yoke to keep the nosewheel off the runway as long as possible.
Example Sentence 2
After touchdown the nosewheel settled onto the runway and the pilot applied light brake pressure.