What Are the Different Types of Landing Gears?
Although every external component on an aircraft is exposed to a variety of harsh conditions and forces, the landing gears take on the majority of physical stressors. These critical elements help support the weight of the aircraft, facilitate ground movement, and allow for shock absorber upon landing. Since landing gears must be capable of supporting over 400 metric tons of weight several times a day, it has been imperative for manufacturers to continue innovating and finding methods that increase safety and reduce costs. In this blog, we will discuss the operating principle behind landing gears while also discussing their various designs and applications.
Landing gears account for over 5% of the maximum takeoff weight of an average aircraft, but may account for upwards of 20% of its maintenance cost. It is apparent that well-designed landing gear will likely save airlines millions of dollars over time, but what constitutes well-designed landing gear? In general, landing gear should have adequate suspension to help support the aircraft's weight and be able to dissipate the enormous energy of landing. They should also be easy to manipulate, helping the aircraft maneuver on the ground. Depending on the size of the aircraft and the type of location it is designed to land in, one of several configurations may be chosen.
Conventional Landing Gear
This landing gear type is the most common amongst light and personal aircraft. It features two wheels that sit close to the middle of the plane to help support the center of gravity. Towards the tail, a third wheel or occasionally a skid is equipped to provide support to the back of the aircraft. These gears may either be fixed, which permanently remain engaged or retractable. Although conventional landing gears generally have a longer operational lifespan, they do have some limitations. Namely, since the weight is distributed in a manner that pushes the nose up, it is more difficult for the pilot to visualize where they are taxiing. This deficiency is fixed upon takeoff but can cause time delays and other complications during ground operations.
Tandem-Type Landing Gear
Tandem gears are uncommon and typically only found on large military aircraft, such as the B-52 and U-2. The design, which features the primary and secondary gears in line on the plane's longitudinal axis, is generally chosen due to the inconvenience of placing them elsewhere. Although they are less stable than other gear designs, the tandem configuration confers the benefit of reduced drag when engaged.
Tricycle Landing Gear
Tricycle gears are the most common amongst aircraft of all sizes and operating capabilities. Consisting of a nose gear and two or more gears offset from the center of gravity, the tricycle design is widely considered to have the best maneuverability-to-stability ratio. Unlike conventional landing gears, this design ensures that the aircraft is stable during ground operations, giving the pilot broader visibility. Tricycle gears are also easier to land and less prone to the effects of crosswinds, making them an obvious choice for most airlines. Like other configurations, the number of wheels installed on a tricycle landing gear may vary based on the aircraft's weight and may also be retractable or fixed.
Water Operations
Seaplanes contain a float device, which helps the aircraft remain on top of the water while also helping to facilitate takeoff. Seaplanes that are designed to land on land and water also feature landing gears. However, since seaplanes are more sensitive to weight and load distribution, such vessels must typically reduce their total weight by removing other items. Seaplanes capable of landing on both water and land are called amphibians and usually require more maintenance due to the addition of landing gears.
Conclusion
When you are in the market for new or replacement landing gear components, choose Aviation Axis to fulfill your requirements with ease. We are an AS9120B, ISO 9001:2015, and FAA AC 00-56B accredited enterprise dedicated to providing customers with the highest quality items possible. As such, we regularly subject our inventory of over 2 billion components to deliberate testing to screen for any deficiencies before shipping. Additionally, when you choose Aviation Axis, you choose expeditious service. We offer 24/7x365 AOG service and always ship our products rapidly, thanks to our robust global distribution network.
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