How often should I check tire pressure? Check tire pressure and tire condition as a part of your preflight routine.
Tire maintenance goes hand-in-hand with wheel and brake maintenance. It should be a routine part of your preflight checklist. Like many systems in an airplane the tire is a part of the full landing gear. When all components are well maintained the entire landing gear assembly will work together to ensure the safest possible operation.
This simple, quick check can help to maximize tire life, improve landing smoothness, and avoid costly repairs to your aircraft’s wheels and brakes. Plus, it is one of the easiest things to check as the tire is exposed before take-off and can be easily inspected.
Overall tire condition, tread wear, valve stem condition and pressure are easy to check in your preflight routine while a more thorough tire check should be done at any full maintenance check. Considering the high load and extreme speeds that an aircraft tire undergoes, it is crucial to frequently check tire pressure.
Check Tire Pressure Regularly
As part of your pre-flight routine check the tire pressure. It only takes a minute and can substantially extend the life of your tire and avoid costly tire maintenance and wheel damage.
Check for Visible Wear
Under-inflation can increase the tire footprint and increase build-up heat when landing. If a tirelooks low – double-check the pressure.
Check the Valve Stem
If the stem isn’t sticking out straight from the tire or looks worn the tire may need maintenance to avoid pinching and shearing.
Check for Invisible Wear
During any tire or brake maintenance inspect the tire condition looking for any separation in the tire casing.
At the very least check your aircraft’s tire pressure after every 20 hours of flight time.
