What is an aircraft's landing gear?

New Delhi, Apr 9 (UNI) A landing gear supports an aeroplane on the ground and absorbs vertical shocks while take offs and particularly landings.

Its main part is a shock-absorbing strut, comprising of a piston and cylinder like a very large bicycle pump. The cylinder is filled with high pressure nitrogen and hydraulic oil.

The nitrogen acts as a spring and resists the piston being forced into the cylinder, contracting and expanding in response to external forces.

Movement of the piston in the cylinder forces the hydraulic oil to flow through restricting orifices and slow the movement, removing any violent changes and making the movements comfortable for the passengers.

Typically there are two or more large units (main landing gears) in the middle of an aircraft which are capable of supporting full weight of the aircraft, and a smaller one at the front (nose landing gear) basically intended to support the aircraft with its cabin floor horizontal while on the ground.

Because of the enormous strain landing gears have to absorb, it is necessary for the landing gear to be overhauled after a specified amount of landings.

The Airbus A310 aircraft are fitted with hydraulically-operated, tricycle-type landing gear. The plane has double wheels and anti-skid carbon brakes.

UNI