GSE Aircraft Tire and Wheel Racks

Aircraft Tires Landing at Pavement

Aircraft Tire Load Ratings

What are aircraft tire load ratings and why are they important?

The aircraft tire load rating is the maximum weight that a tire can safely carry at a specified inflation pressure and speed. It’s one of the most critical specifications in aviation tire design because it directly affects aircraft safety, landing gear performance, and operational limits.

 Definition

  • Load rating (sometimes called load capacity) is expressed as the maximum static load per tire, typically in pounds or kilograms.
  • It indicates how much weight each tire can bear when inflated to its rated pressure and operated within its speed rating.

 How It’s Determined

  • Manufacturers test tires according to SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) and FAA standards, such as:
    • SAE ARP 4914 – defines test procedures for aircraft tire performance.
    • Tire and Rim Association (TRA) or European Tyre and Rim Technical Organisation (ETRTO) standards.
  • The rating is established through load-inflation testing, where a tire is run under increasing loads until performance limits (deflection, temperature, endurance) are reached.

 Relation to Inflation Pressure

  • The higher the inflation pressure, the greater the load capacity — up to the manufacturer’s limit.
  • Each tire model has a load–pressure table that shows allowable loads for different pressures.
  • Underinflation reduces load-carrying capability and increases heat buildup.
  • Overinflation reduces traction and increases stress on the airframe and landing gear.

 Example

A Michelin AIR 26×6.6–10 tire might have:

  • Rated load: 1,950 lb at 120 psi
  • Speed rating: 210 mph
    This means the tire can safely carry 1,950 pounds at 120 psi while rolling at or below 210 mph.

 Operational Use

During aircraft design or maintenance:

Engineers calculate the aircraft’s maximum takeoff and landing weight, divide it by the number of tires supporting that load, and ensure each tire’s load rating exceeds that per-tire weight with an appropriate safety margin.