444.0K
THThrowback Thursday 🤩
Concorde’s tires were some of the most stressed components ever put on a commercial aircraft. At rotation, each tire had to survive speeds over 250 mph, extreme heat from friction, and massive loads during landing—all in just a few seconds. To handle this, Concorde used ultra-high-pressure tires (over 230 psi, nearly 6× a car tire) with reinforced construction to minimize deformation at speed.
But pushing the limits came with challenges. Tire bursts and debris damage became a serious concern, especially at such high takeoff speeds where aborting wasn’t always possible. These issues ultimately drove major safety upgrades, including stronger tires, runway inspections, and fuel tank protections.
Watching Concorde land reminds us: supersonic flight wasn’t just fast—it was engineering at the edge of what was possible.
📸: @pajarovion
#Concorde #AviationHistory #Supersonic #PlaneSpotting #AviationGeek
@theaeroplug
