Hydroplaning of H-Type Aircraft Tires (2004-01-3119)

This paper presents the additional evidence that the dynamic hydroplaning speed of H-type aircraft tires, running in deep water, is significantly lower than one determined by Horne’s equation. The factors such as tire footprint ratio, vertical load, and inflation pressure are analyzed to determine their magnitude on the hydroplaning speed. The full-scale, spin-down, test data are used to derive the boundaries of the expected hydroplaning speed. The recommendations are made emphasizing the areas of concern for a safe aircraft operation. The use of the standardized test procedure is proposed to expand the existing full-scale aircraft test results database.