Landing gear is the undercarriage of an aircraft or spacecraft that is used for taxiing, takeoff or landing. For aircraft, it is generally needed for all three of these. It was also formerly called alighting gear by some manufacturers, such as the Glenn L. Martin Company.

Three basic arrangements of landing gear are used: tail wheel-type landing gear (also known as conventional gear), tandem landing gear, and tricycle-type landing gear.

May 17, 2022 · Landing gear can be classified as either fixed or retractable. A fixed landing gear is far simpler and lighter to install on an aircraft as no heavy retraction mechanism is required. The airframe structure can also be made simpler and lighter as no cut-outs in either the fuselage or wing are required to house the wheels.

May 28, 2024 · Landing gear absorbs landing forces and is crucial for aircraft stability. Raising and lowering the gear helps improve aerodynamics and reduce drag. Despite advancements, landing gear issues can still lead to dangerous incidents.

Sep 8, 2023 · There are four basic types of landing gear. These are Tail-Wheel Gear, Tricycle Gear, Pontoons (or Floats), and Ski-planes. Each of these basic types fulfills a specific function that is unique to the aircraft's operational requirements.

Dec 16, 2024 · The landing gear system includes everything that lets an aircraft touch down safely, roll along the ground, and take off again. This includes parts like wheels, brakes, shock absorbers (called struts), and mechanisms that extend and retract the gear as needed.

Dec 20, 2023 · Landing gear must be sturdy to support an aircraft's weight and withstand rough treatment, extreme temperatures, and weather conditions. Different types of landing gear, such as ski planes, pontoon floats, tail-wheel gear, and tricycle …

Dec 30, 2024 · The landing gear assembly on modern aircraft consists of the main gears and the nose wheel. Depending on the size of the aircraft, there will be a varying number of wheels, and check out the likes of the ginormous A380 and you’ll see some extra main assemblies thrown in too (the A380 actually has 5 gears made up of the wing landing gears, two body and the nose because it is just so darn big).

Nov 15, 2024 · The aircraft landing gear provides essential support for the plane during ground operations, absorbs the force of impact during landing, and enables precise steering for taxiing.

Aug 8, 2024 · Landing gears are critical components of aircraft, serving as the interface between the aircraft and the ground during takeoff and landing. They come in various designs, each suited to specific types of aircraft and operational requirements.