13.16 Landing Gear Flashcards
Apart from supporting the aircraft on the ground, what are the secondary functions of the undercarriage (UC)?
Support the aircraft in a stable attitude
Provide mobility on the ground
Absorb landing loads
Dampen out noise and vibration during taxiing
Steering
Braking
What is a tricycle UC?
Two main UC units and one nose UC unit (standard)
Variations of the above apply
What are the main advantages of tricycle UC?
Pilots view during taxiing, landing and take–off is virtually unobstructed
Layout of the UC units give forward stability
Maximum braking efficiency can be utilised
What are the disadvantages of tricycle UC?
Stability and CofG can be affected during maintenance operations
CofG must remain within area bounded by UC units otherwise structure becomes unbalanced
Where are the ideal strength points in a) the fuselage and b) the wing?
a) adjacent to a frame or juncture of a frame or stringer
b) adjacent to the mainspar or juncture of a rib or spar
What is a structural fuse?
Points between the landing gear and wing spar attachments
Strong enough to handle normal operating loads
Designed to fail under excessive loads before damage to the primary structure can occur
What are the advantages of fixed UC?
Simple
Less weight
Less maintenance
Lower cost
How should a damaged/overheated wheel be approached?
Do not approach until the tyre has cooled to an ambient temperature
Approach at an oblique angle in the direction of the tyre shoulder
What are the two main types of wheel assembly?
Removable flange
Split hub
In the two main types of wheel assembly, how is sealing achieved when used with tubeless tyres?
Use an o–ring seal
What are the 3 methods of heat dissipation?
Wheels are vented and flared
Heat shields may be installed around the brake unit
Axle fans may provide a cooling flow of air through the wheel
What wheel component can prevent explosion due to overheated wheel brakes and how do they work?
Thermal fuse plugs
Melt to release the tyre pressure when their temperature exceeds a set figure
What type of bearings are wheels usually mounted on to?
Tapered roller bearings
What action should be taken if any wheel tie bolt is found to be defective?
The wheel should be removed and the complete set renewed
What is the area of a tyre called where the carcass plies are located?
Sidewall
How are Radial plies laid in relation to the direction of rotation?
90° to the direction of rotation
Each successive layer laid at the same angle
What is the purpose of the chine in a nosewheel tyre?
Deflect water and slush to the side and away from intakes
What are the awl vents and how are they identified?
Identified by green or grey painted spots
Vents which pierce the sidewall and allow nitrogen or air trapped during the tyre’s manufacturing process to percolate through the carcass plies
What should the red spot or triangle on a tyre be aligned with on the wheel?
Tubed tyres – Heavy spot of the tube
Tubeless tyres – Heavy point of the wheel assembly
On both occasions may be the inflation valve
What is tyre creep?
Tendency of the tyre to move relative to the wheel
What allowance is made to the tyre pressure when it is subjected to the weight of the aircraft?
4%
What action should be taken if a cold tyre is found to be 5% below loaded inflation?
Any tyre between 5% and 10% below loaded inflation pressure should be reinflated to the correct pressure
Checked at the next daily check
Rejected if 5% below again
What action should be taken if a tyre on a multi–wheel UC has run flat?
All tyres on that UC should be scrapped
What is the maximum oxygen content of a tyre?
5% by volume
What affect will a rise of 3°C have on tyre pressure?
Approximately 1% change in pressure
Describe the 3 forms of aquaplaning?
Dynamic
Viscous
Reverted rubber
What are the advantages of a multi–wheel UC?
Easier to stow when retracted
Provide greater safety (burst tyre is not so critical)
Easier to handle during maintenance (wheels are smaller)
Increasing brake efficiency (brake units on every wheel)
Weight of aircraft is spread
What is the purpose of the bogie hop damper/tilt jack?
Means of positioning the bogie beam at a suitable angle for retraction and landing
Acts as a damper unit
What component of the bogie maintains the weight force on the rear wheels during braking?
Equaliser rods/compensating rods
What might be the result of lack of lubrication on a bogie UC?
Corrosion
or
Hydrogen embrittlement
What is the purpose of the torque links on a nose UC assembly?
Prevent rotation of the lower strut within the upper strut
Limit extension of the lower strut within the upper strut
How can nosewheel shimmy be prevented on larger aircraft?
Using twin nosewheels, each attached to a ‘live’ axle
Shimmy dampers
Twin actuator steering system restriction of flow
Why must the nose UC be centred?
Must align with the wheel bay once the weight has been removed or damage would occur when the UC is retracted
How are nose UCs usually centred (non-steerable)?
Centring cams are located inside the shock absorber
With weight off, oleo strut is extended by gas pressure within the strut
Sliding cam contacts the fixed cam and slides along it
In so doing, rotates the nose gear into a straight ahead direction
What are the 2 main types of oleo pneumatic shock absorber?
With separator
Without separator
How does the shock absorber with separator achieve rebound restriction?
When landing, oil in the outer cylinder lifts the flutter plate and passes freely into the lower cylinder
When the compressed gas expands, oil flows back to the outer cylinder but spring now closes the flutter plate
Flow of oil is now restricted therefore speed of extension is limited
How is correct extension of an oleo ascertained during daily servicing?
Check daily against the centre of gravity/loading graphs provided in the approved maintenance manual
What is the general order of replenishing an oleo strut?
Dispel gas
Drain old oil
Recharge oil
Recharge gas
How are normal taxying loads cushioned?
Cushioned by gas pressure and dampened by the limited flow of fluid through the orifice
Levered suspension struts are more likely to use what type of oleo?
Small liquid spring shock absorber
What must friction brakes do?
Convert kinetic energy into heat
Provide drag (retarding force)
Disperse heat
How is a working clearance maintained in the brake pack when the brakes are released?
Springs in the adjuster assemblies move the pressure plate back to maintain a working clearance and permit free rotation of the wheel