The most popular low-pressure tire found on piston-powered aircraft today is the Type ______ tire.

• A. Type 2 tire
• B. Type 3 tire
• C. Type 4 tire
• D. Type 6 tire

Answer: (B)

Piston-powered aircraft rely on tires that give a big contact patch to spread the load and cushion landings at relatively low inflation pressures. The Type 3 tire is the standard low-pressure tire used on most of these airplanes today because it is designed to handle the typical loads of light aircraft while staying at the low pressures that provide that large footprint. That larger contact area helps absorb shocks from rough or grass runways and distributes weight more evenly across the tire and gear, protecting the structure during landings. It also offers a good balance of durability and cost for everyday operation, which is why it’s the most common choice in general aviation. Other tire types exist for specialized needs or heavier configurations, but they don’t match this combination of load distribution, cushioning, and practicality for the typical piston-powered aircraft.