What is the significance of regularly checking tire pressures in aviation?

Regularly checking tire pressures in aviation is crucial for maintaining operational safety. Proper tire pressure is essential for ensuring that aircraft can handle the various stresses encountered during takeoff, landing, and taxiing. Under-inflated tires can lead to compromised performance, such as increased stopping distances and reduced control during landing and takeoff phases. This can directly affect safety by increasing the risk of tire blowouts or failures. Additionally, maintaining the correct tire pressure helps in distributing the aircraft's weight evenly, which is vital for structural integrity and stability during flight operations. Hence, routine tire pressure checks are a fundamental part of aviation safety protocols.