Tires used on the nose wheels of these aircraft have ___, or deflectors molded into the upper sidewall to deflect the water or slush away from the engine intakes.

• A. Chines
• B. Gussets
• C. Flanges
• D. Knurls

Answer: (A)

Chines are molded into the upper sidewall of aircraft tires to act as water and slush deflectors. As the tire spins, this raised lip helps spray water outward, away from engine intakes, reducing the chance of water or debris being ingested by the engines during taxiing or takeoff on wet surfaces. The other terms describe different features that don’t serve this deflection purpose: gussets are reinforcement pieces, flanges are rims or edges on a wheel, and knurls are textured surfaces for grip, none of which function as water deflectors on the tire.