The closer you look at a plane, the more clever design details – like that little black triangle that helps airline staff to get the clearest possible view of the wings – you might notice.
But not even the keenest eye would catch another of the vehicles’ smart adaptations: the gas that goes into their tyres.
Since 1988, the Civil Aviation Authority has said that brake wheels on most commercial aircraft are “required to have tyres inflated with nitrogen, or other suitable inert gas”.
Here’s why...
Why do most plane tyres use nitrogen?
The AA explained that it’s partly due to moisture.
Pure nitrogen is drier than regular air. And the -40°C temp...
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