What Components Make Up Commercial Aircraft Landing Gear

Let’s take a high-level look at the landing gear of commercial aircraft before delving into the various components that make it up. This complex system is essential to assuring the safety and stability of an aircraft throughout the takeoff and landing phases, which are considered the most hazardous parts of the flight. The landing gear is designed to absorb the enormous pressures created during these maneuvers to ensure a controlled and smooth descent or ascent.

1. Struts

The sturdy and shock-absorbing components that connect the aircraft’s body to the wheels are known as landing gear struts. Steel or titanium, two metals known for their strength, are common choices for fabricating these struts. Their major function is to reduce the impact forces experienced during touchdown, which helps to ensure a safe and controlled landing. Landing gear struts are designed to compress at touchdown, absorbing the aircraft’s kinetic energy and protecting the aircraft’s structure from being compromised.

2. Spokes & Tires

The wheels and tires are the parts most readily seen by the naked eye. Most commercial aircraft have more than one wheel, and these wheels are typically arranged in a formation known as a “bogey.” These wheels have been given a particular makeover to resist enormous weights and the heat of sudden braking when landing. The tires are constructed using unique rubber compounds that are strengthened with steel strands to increase their strength and resilience to heat. Safety is the highest concern in the aviation industry, and Michelin aircraft tires substantially contribute to this facet of safety. Even when adverse weather conditions are prevalent, tires manufactured by Michelin give great grip and control on runways. The reduced potential for hydroplaning and skidding resulting from improved traction and stopping power makes landings and takeoffs significantly safer.

3. Braking Systems

The landing gear cannot function properly without brakes and other braking systems. They are extremely important in slowing down the airplane before landing and when it is taxiing on the runway. Brake systems for commercial airplanes are typically hydraulic, as this type offers outstanding stopping power and precise control. These brakes’ effectiveness is necessary for ensuring the safety of passengers and the cargo, particularly when the weather is inclement.

4. Shock-Dissipating Devices

Landing gear sometimes has shock absorbers built into it to help minimize the effects of landing on the vehicle. These components and the landing gear struts work together to soften the aircraft’s descent, which helps prevent structural damage and ensures the comfort of the passengers. Shock absorbers contribute substantially to the overall safety and comfort of the landing process. They achieve this by taking in the impact energy and releasing it in a way that is not harmful to the vehicle.

5. Retraction Mechanism

During flight, the aircraft’s landing gear may be raised and stored inside the fuselage thanks to a mechanism known as the Retraction Mechanism, an intricate and complex system. This aerodynamic feature decreases drag and improves fuel efficiency, which are important considerations in today’s aircraft industry. Any fault in the retraction mechanism, a complicated system of hydraulics, gears, and actuators, can pose major risks during takeoff and landing. Therefore, the mechanism must operate perfectly at all times.

6. Structural Frame

The structural frame is the landing gear system’s primary support structure. It is in charge of affixing the landing gear to the framework of the aircraft safely and securely. These support beams and brackets are designed to prevent stress concentrations that could jeopardize the integrity of the aircraft by distributing the landing forces equally throughout the airframe. When it comes to ensuring that every flight is safe, the dependability of this structural frame is of the utmost importance.

Conclusion

The landing gear for commercial aircraft is a great example of how engineering expertise and ingenuity may be combined. It is possible for millions of planes all around the world to make safe landings and takeoffs thanks to the coordinated efforts of the six parts that make up this essential system. Having a deeper understanding of the technology that ensures the safety and dependability of aviation will allow you to understand the complexities of landing gear better.