How do airplane wheels differ from automobile wheels and why? Driving an automobile is nothing like taking a flight. Though both transport you from one destination to the next, they are very different methods of transportation. The major difference between airplane and car wheels is that airplane wheels have to be designed to withstand the intense pressure of landing and takeoff. Car wheels don’t have to withstand anywhere near as much force while driving on a surface that is not moving. Another difference is that while airplanes need a lot of power...