How does vertical landing gear load affect wheel tread wear and tire life?

• A. Higher loads decrease wear.
• B. Higher loads increase tire wear and heat generation, accelerating wear and reducing tire life.
• C. Load has no effect on tire wear.
• D. Lower load increases wear due to slip.

Answer: (B)

Vertical landing loads push more weight through the tire, increasing the pressure in the contact patch and causing the tire to flex more as it supports the aircraft. That extra deformation and higher contact pressure generate more heat inside the tire, and the combination of greater wear and heat aging accelerates tread wear. In short, higher vertical loads lead to faster wear and shorter tire life because you’re pushing the tire harder and heating it more with each cycle. Keeping the correct inflation helps manage the contact patch and control heat, which is why proper tire pressure is important under heavy vertical loads.