CHAPTER 7
AIRCRAFT WHEELS, TIRES, AND TUBES
Aircraft wheels are made from either aluminum or
INTRODUCTION
magnesium alloys. These materials provide a strong,
Modern aircraft wheels are among the most highly
lightweight wheel that requires very little maintenance.
stressed parts of an aircraft. High tire pressures, cyclic
The wheels used on naval aircraft are of two general
loading, corrosion, and physical damage contribute to
types--divided and demountable flange. Both of these
failure of aircraft wheels. Complete failure of an
designs make wheel buildup a fairly simple operation.
aircraft wheel can be catastrophic. When wheel failure
The wheels used with tires and tubes have knurled
occurs, the fragments are often propelled several
flanges to prevent the tire from slipping on the wheel.
hundred feet. You must have the ability to identify
Wheels used with tubeless tires have the wheel sections
potential safety hazards when you work on aircraft tires
sealed by an O-ring, and they use special valves that are
and wheel assemblies. You must practice all the safety
a part of the wheel.
precautions related to wheel and tire maintenance
procedures. At the organizational maintenance level,
DIVIDED (SPLIT) WHEEL
aircraft wheels are removed frequently for tire changes,
inspections, and lubrication. Familiarity with various
Figure 7-1 shows a typical divided (split) wheel.
types of wheels and tires, and related safety
This type of wheel is divided into two halves. The two
precautions, will increase your ability to perform your
halves are sealed by an O-ring and held together with
duties.
nuts and bolts. Each wheel half is statically balanced.
This procedure allows any two opposite halves of the
AIRCRAFT WHEELS
same size and type to be joined together to form one
wheel assembly. If the outboard half of a wheel is
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Recognize the
beyond repair, a new outboard half may be drawn from
components of the different types of wheels.
supply. The new outboard half is then matched to the
Identify the maintenance responsibilities of
old inboard half. This type of wheel is used on nose,
both the O-level and I-level maintenance
main, and tail landing gears.
activities.
Figure 7-1.--Typical divided (split) wheel assembly.
7-1
