System 4 Landing Gear

Purpose of landing gear?

A: Support aircraft during taxi, takeoff, landing.

Types

A: Fixed, retractable.

Shock absorption method?

A: Oleos or spring steel.

Nosewheel steering?

A: Mechanical linkage or differential braking.

What is shimmy?

A: Rapid wheel oscillation.

Why avoid hard braking?

A: Tire blowout risk.

Tire pressure importance?

A: Proper handling and braking.

What affects stopping distance?

A: Weight, speed, runway condition.

Gear doors purpose (if retractable)?

A: Reduce drag.

Why check struts?

A: Proper shock absorption.

Flat tire

do not fly

Pulling during rollout

differential braking

Soft-field risk

→ nosewheel damage

Crosswind landing →

proper aileron/rudder

Brake fade

→ longer stopping distance

Skill: Proper braking technique

Locked brake

→ directional control risk

Nosewheel shimmy

reduce speed

Wet runway

→ hydroplaning risk

Overweight landing → gear stress

→ gear stress

Preflight skill

tire & strut inspection

Taxi speed risk

→ loss of control

Gear vibration

→ abort takeoff if early

Risk mitigation

→ smooth control inputs

Q: How does fixed landing gear absorb landing forces?

A: Through spring steel or oleo struts that flex or compress to absorb energy.

Q: What are the main landing gear components? There are 6 of them

Main gear legs

Nose gear assembly

Tires & wheels

Brakes

Shock absorbers

Steering linkage

How does fixed landing gear absorb landing loads?

A: Through spring steel gear legs or oleo struts that flex or compress to dissipate energy.

Why is nosewheel steering limited at higher speeds?

A: To prevent over-control and shimmy.

What component actually stops the aircraft during landing?

A: Wheel brakes, not the tires themselves.

Why can heavy braking increase stopping distance on wet runways?

A: Tire skidding reduces friction, leading to hydroplaning.

What happens aerodynamically when weight transfers forward during braking?

A: Increased load on the nosewheel → loss of directional control risk.

Why are tires checked for cords during preflight?

A: Exposed cords indicate structural failure risk.

What causes nosewheel shimmy?

A: Worn dampers, improper tire pressure, or high taxi speed.

Why is differential braking considered a backup, not a primary control?

A: It increases wear and failure risk.

What risk does soft-field taxiing pose to the nose gear?

A: Digging in → gear collapse.

Why does aircraft weight matter for landing gear stress?

A: Energy absorbed increases exponentially with weight and speed.

How does crosswind increase landing gear stress?

A: Side loads on wheels and struts.

Why should brakes be tested early in taxi?

A: To confirm stopping ability before speed increases.