Why does Boeing 747 need so many tires

For over five decades, the Boeing 747 has captured the attention of aviation enthusiasts and professionals. Known for its size and technological innovations, this aircraft was introduced to commercial service on January 22, 1970, with Pan Am. It became a symbol of long-haul air travel, serving as a flagship for airlines, cargo operators, and even as transport for world leaders.

A lesser-known feature of the Boeing 747 is its landing gear system comprising 18 tires—16 on the main gear and two on the nose gear. This intricate system ensures precision and safety by evenly distributing the aircraft's weight and reducing runway wear. "The Boeing 747 gracefully touches down on a sophisticated system designed for precision, strength, and safety," reads an analysis.

The aircraft's landing gear includes five legs in total: one nose gear with two wheels and four main landing gear units each with four wheels. These tires are uniform in size to simplify logistics and maintenance. "This uniform sizing reduces downtime and ensures spare parts are always compatible across all the gear positions," explains Captain Joe in his YouTube video.