posted on Apr, 1 2008 @ 01:08 PM
reply to post by ULTIMA1
ULTIMA....you're talking about main gear, I assume, when you mention the 8 or 10-slot wheels?
Yeah, the B757 and B767 have four wheels attached to the landing gear, the 'main gear'. They also have two wheels on the nose strut.
Here's something y'all need to know....when an airplane is designed, one consideration is the effect it will have on the surfaces it it must taxi on
while on the ground.
Depending on the ulitmate designed weight, the load has to be 'spread out', so to speak. Nowadays, though, improved technology in tires, Anti-lock
systems, etc, etc have meant that the amount of 'rubber on the runway' isn't as important as how the infrastructure of the airport can support the
weights...particularly, taxiways are mostly asphalt, runways are concrete, and of course, the 'ramp' area around the terminals is concrete. (I have
to say, here...I am sick of the term 'tarmac'....it is over-used, and indicates, when it is used, a lack of understanding of how airports are
actually constructed...)
So, when you see a large jet, and see how many wheels it has, you will know that the trade-off is in the design...the size of the wheel (which has a
tire) is relevant, because of weight. The weight of the airplane is relevant, because of its 'footprint' and effect on the surfaces of the
airports....
More wheels, spreads the 'footprint' out...but adds weight...
Hope this helps, WW