Why Don't They Use Air to Inflate Airplane Tires?

By Simple Things - Surprising Histories

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Nitrogen makes up about 78 percent of the air we breathe, yet commercial airplanes do not rely on ordinary air to inflate their tires. In this video, we explore why aircraft tires are filled with dry nitrogen instead, and how this invisible gas helps keep every landing safer. Why Don't They Use Air to Inflate Airplane Tires? | Simple Things Surprising Histories This documentary style episode from *Simple Things Surprising Histories* uncovers the fascinating engineering and science behind aircraft tires, revealing why something as simple as the gas inside them plays a critical role in aviation safety. Topics covered in this video: • Why commercial airplane tires are not filled with regular air • The extreme conditions aircraft tires experience during flight and landing • Why airplane tires are inflated to around 200 psi • How friction, braking, and tire flexing generate intense heat • Why moisture inside a tire can create pressure problems • The science behind freezing, evaporation,

Tags: airplane tires, aircraft tires, nitrogen, nitrogen gas, why airplane tires use nitrogen, why not air, aviation, aviation safety, aircraft engineering, airplane engineering, aviation science, science explained, engineering explained, commercial aircraft, aircraft landing, airplane landing, landing gear, tire pressure, 200 psi, FAA