What is the tire limit speed?

• A. 182
• B. 170
• C. 190
• D. 200

Answer: (A)

Think of tire limit speed as the maximum ground speed at which the wheels that are in contact with the runway are designed to operate safely. The tires have a rated rotational speed and heat load based on their construction and the aircraft’s gear design. If you push the wheel RPM beyond that limit, the tire can overheat or fail, especially during heavy braking, high-speed taxi, or an aborted takeoff. That limit is a fixed published value for the aircraft and is usually given in knots.

For this case, the published tire limit speed is 182 knots. Staying at or below this speed ensures the tires stay within their safe operating range. Values not equal to the published limit are simply not the maximum the tires can tolerate on the ground, which is why 182 knots is the correct reference.