Aircraft Landing Gear Components

Aircraft landing gear parts refers to any hardware, assemblies, and components integrated with the landing gear system of an aircraft; such as airliners, fixed-wing, and rotary-wing aircraft, drones, and spacecraft. Landing gear specifications are dependent upon aircraft weight, size, and application.

Major manufacturers of these part types include the likes of Airbus, Boeing, Beechcraft, Bombardier, Embraer, Erickson, and Sikorsky. However, prominent manufacturers of landing gear vary by the applicable aircraft type.

Fixed-Wing Aircraft Landing Gear

Most landing gear assemblies for fixed-wing aircraft are of the retractable wheel landing gear type; however, single-engine aircraft and drone aircraft may utilize a conventional gear assembly, fixed gear assembly, or tricycle gear assembly. Drones commonly utilize fixed gear or tricycle gear assemblies. Parts and part families included in this category are actuating cylinders, cam assemblies, priority valves, nose gear shock struts, oleo struts, shock absorbers, shock struts, springs, cushions, etc.

Retractable Wheel Landing Gear

The retractable landing gear is common for any aircraft that require stable, electric or hydraulic assisted support. Aircraft the utilize this assembly include airliners, freighters, and the like.  Retractable landing gear manages stress loads of takeoff and landing and reduces induced drag in flight.

Rotary Wing Aircraft Landing Gear

Rotary wing landing gear is specified to handle the unique loads and weight specifications provided by this type of vehicle. Most aircraft of this type are equipped with skid landing gear, wheel landing gear, or a combination of both technologies.

Skid Landing Gear

Skids are attached directly to the fuselage and are not retractable; they rely extensively on aerodynamic braking systems i.e. reverse thrust. This type of landing gear is utilized on rotor aircraft with slower flying speeds and/or for soft, accessible landing conditions.

Wheel Landing Gear

Wheels are typically located on the front and rear of a motor vehicle and can be fixed or retractable. Larger-scale aircraft such as large helicopters, MEDEVAC aircraft, and naval and military transport aircraft will defer to a wheel landing system. This assembly is more fit to provide better ground handling and better speed efficiency compared to skid landing gear.