How Does Aircraft Landing Gear Absorb Shock

• Tires: Acting as the first point of contact with the runway, tires are made with flexible rubber that allows them to deform momentarily under load.
• Load-Bearing Struts or Legs: Though different across types, every aircraft requires structural elements positioned directly between the wheels and the airframe to support its full weight and to help absorb excess forces.

Additional Components in Modern Landing Gear

Many landing gear systems incorporate additional components to improve alignment, stability, and load management, such as:

• Oleo-Pneumatic Struts: The most common shock absorber in commercial and military aircraft, oleo struts consist of an outer cylinder and an inner piston. During landing, the piston compresses into the cylinder, forcing hydraulic fluid through narrow orifices while simultaneously compressing a gas chamber. 
• Torque Links and Side Braces: Often arranged in a scissor-like pattern on the strut, these linkages prevent the gear from twisting during compression and maintain proper wheel alignment during taxiing, landing, and rollout.
• Drag Braces: Found in retractable systems, drag braces are rigid struts or folding linkages that resist longitudinal loads during landing and braking while locking the gear securely in its extended position.

Types of Landing Gear and Their Shock Absorption Approaches

Landing gear is largely classified by whether it is fixed or retractable. Fixed gear, common on smaller general aviation aircraft, remains permanently extended and typically uses simpler shock absorption systems like spring-steel legs or bungee cords. While lightweight and cost-effective, fixed gear increases aerodynamic drag. Retractable gear, by contrast, can be stowed within the fuselage or wings to reduce drag during flight, which requires more complex linkages. However, there are more specific gear configurations utilized across different aircraft models, including:

Taildragger Landing Gear

Also known as conventional landing gear, taildraggers feature two main wheels positioned forward of the aircraft’s center of gravity and a smaller tail wheel or skid. This type of system absorbs landing forces primarily through struts in the main gear, but some designs have flexible elements within the gear legs to further manage impact energy. While suitable on smaller, lighter aircraft in a fixed configuration, taildraggers are less efficient at managing vertical impact forces and require careful handling to prevent ground-looping during rollout.

Tricycle Landing Gear

Found on many types of modern aircraft, tricycle landing gear places a nose gear forward of the center of gravity and two main assemblies positioned under either the fuselage or wings, providing excellent stability. The main gears are equipped with effective shock-absorbing systems, handling the majority of vertical landing forces. Tricycle gear is almost universally retractable on larger aircraft to reduce aerodynamic drag, though smaller general aviation aircraft may utilize fixed configurations.

Tandem Landing Gear

Tandem landing gear is primarily used on large, heavy aircraft. This is done to offset long fuselages, having the main landing gear units arranged in a line along the centerline, one forward and one rear set. Because tandem gear lacks the lateral stability provided by traditional wing-mounted main gear, smaller outrigger wheels are usually installed under the wings to prevent tipping. Moreover, tandem gear is almost exclusively retractable due to the size and performance requirements of the aircraft it supports.

Source Reliable Landing Gear Components on ASAP Distribution

In all, aircraft landing gear comes in a variety of designs to absorb landing impact, curated so that each airframe is optimally supported and maneuverable. Because the performance of these systems depends on precise engineering, any replacement components employed must meet both the needs of a particular aircraft and strict industry standards. For operators and maintenance teams seeking landing gear parts, ASAP Distribution offers a trustworthy solution.

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