Aircraft Shock Strut: Quiz and Flashcards for Aviation Students

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Questions and Answers

Why are aircraft manufactured with conventional gear?

For weight savings

To increase directional control

To facilitate operations on non-paved runways (correct)

To enable control with the rudder

What has rendered the tail skid obsolete in aircraft design?

The proliferation of hard surface runways (correct)

The alignment of the main gear and tail gear on the longitudinal axis

The use of differential braking for directional control

The incorporation of springs for dampening

How is directional control maintained in aircraft equipped with tail wheel landing gear?

By incorporating springs for dampening

By connecting the tail wheel to the rudder pedals (correct)

By aligning the main gear and tail gear

By using outrigger gear under the wings

Which type of landing gear has the main gear and tail gear aligned on the longitudinal axis of the aircraft?

Tandem gear Signup and view all the answers

What facilitates the use of very flexible wings in aircraft design?

Placement of the landing gear only under the fuselage Signup and view all the answers

Which type of aircraft commonly uses tandem landing gear?

Sailplanes Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of adding fairings or wheel pants to aircraft landing gear?

To reduce parasite drag caused by the landing gear Signup and view all the answers

How do thin cross-section spring steel struts and fairings contribute to landing gear performance?

By raising performance and minimizing parasite drag Signup and view all the answers

What advantage do retractable landing gear offer over fixed landing gear during flight?

Retractable gear do not cause parasite drag while stowed in wheel wells Signup and view all the answers

How is the extension and retraction of most landing gear usually accomplished?

Using hydraulics Signup and view all the answers

What is a common feature of retractable landing gear when fully retracted?

They have close-fitting panels that fair with the aircraft skin Signup and view all the answers

How can pilots use the parasite drag caused by extended landing gear to their advantage?

To slow down the aircraft Signup and view all the answers

What is typically used in some landing gear shock struts to control the flow of fluid between the bottom and top cylinders?

Internal metering tube Signup and view all the answers

Why are shock struts equipped with damping or snubbing devices?

To prevent sharp impacts at the end of the stroke Signup and view all the answers

Where is the valve fitting assembly typically located in a shock strut?

Near the top of the cylinder Signup and view all the answers

What role does the packing gland play in a shock strut?

Sealing the sliding joint between upper and lower telescoping cylinders Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a recoil valve or recoil tube in a shock strut?

To restrict fluid flow and prevent damaging impacts Signup and view all the answers

Why are suitable connections provided on all shock strut upper cylinders?

To allow for filling with hydraulic fluid and inflating with air or nitrogen Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the wiper on the shock strut piston?

Preventing dirt, mud, ice, and snow from entering the packing gland Signup and view all the answers

How does regular cleaning of the exposed portion of the strut piston benefit the packing gland?

Decreases the possibility of damage to the packing gland Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of torque links or torque arms in most shock struts?

Keeping the wheels aligned Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of a locating cam assembly on nose gear shock struts?

Keeping the gear aligned Signup and view all the answers

How do torque links help retain the piston in the upper cylinder when the strut is extended?

By connecting the upper and lower cylinders Signup and view all the answers

Why are locating cams important in preventing structural damage to the aircraft?

They ensure proper alignment of the wheel and axle assembly Signup and view all the answers

What is the correct procedure to release all air from a strut with a valve core (AN2687-1)?

Remove the valve core using a valve core removal tool. Signup and view all the answers

What is the correct procedure to release all air from a strut without a valve core (MS28889)?

Rotate the swivel nut sufficiently to allow the air to escape. Signup and view all the answers

What tool should be used to depress the valve core of a strut with AN2687-1 valve core?

Valve core removal tool Signup and view all the answers

In servicing landing gear shock struts, what is illustrated horizontally?

Strut servicing steps Signup and view all the answers

What is needed for aircraft on jacks to achieve full compression of the strut?

Exerciser jack Signup and view all the answers

Which type of valve fitting does not require removal of the valve core for releasing air from the strut?

Strut fitting with no core MS 28889-1 Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Conventional Gear and Landing Gear Design

Conventional gear is used in aircraft manufacturing due to its simplicity and low production costs
The tail skid is no longer used in modern aircraft design due to the introduction of tail wheels, which provide better directional control during ground operations

Directional Control and Landing Gear Alignment

Directional control in aircraft with tail wheel landing gear is maintained by the pilot using the rudder pedals to align the tail wheel with the direction of travel
Tricycle landing gear has the main gear and tail gear aligned on the longitudinal axis of the aircraft, providing better stability and directional control

Flexible Wings and Tandem Landing Gear

The use of very flexible wings in aircraft design is facilitated by the ability to absorb shock loads and vibrations during flight
Tandem landing gear is commonly used in aircraft such as bombers and cargo planes, which require a high degree of stability and control during takeoff and landing

Fairings and Wheel Pants

Fairings or wheel pants are added to aircraft landing gear to reduce drag and improve aerodynamic performance
Thin cross-section spring steel struts and fairings contribute to landing gear performance by reducing weight and improving strength

Retractable Landing Gear

Retractable landing gear offers the advantage of reduced drag and improved aerodynamic performance during flight compared to fixed landing gear
The extension and retraction of most landing gear is usually accomplished through hydraulic or electric systems
When fully retracted, retractable landing gear is typically hidden from view, reducing drag and improving aerodynamics

Parasite Drag and Pilot Advantage

Pilots can use the parasite drag caused by extended landing gear to their advantage by increasing lift and improving climb performance during takeoff
However, extended landing gear also increases drag, which can negatively impact cruise performance

Shock Struts and Landing Gear Performance

Shock struts in landing gear are filled with fluid, and the flow of fluid between the bottom and top cylinders is controlled by orifices or valves
Damping or snubbing devices are equipped in shock struts to improve landing gear performance by reducing oscillations and vibrations
The valve fitting assembly is typically located at the top of the shock strut, and the packing gland plays a crucial role in preventing fluid leakage
The recoil valve or recoil tube in a shock strut allows for the controlled release of fluid during compression and extension
Suitable connections are provided on all shock strut upper cylinders to facilitate maintenance and servicing
The wiper on the shock strut piston helps to clean the exposed portion of the strut, which benefits the packing gland
Regular cleaning of the exposed portion of the strut piston helps to prevent wear and tear on the packing gland

Torque Links and Locating Cams

Torque links or torque arms in most shock struts help to retain the piston in the upper cylinder when the strut is extended, reducing the risk of damage or failure
Locating cam assemblies on nose gear shock struts play a crucial role in preventing structural damage to the aircraft by aligning the piston with the cylinder during compression
Torque links help to retain the piston in the upper cylinder when the strut is extended, reducing the risk of damage or failure
Locating cams are important in preventing structural damage to the aircraft by aligning the piston with the cylinder during compression

Servicing Landing Gear Shock Struts

To release all air from a strut with a valve core (AN2687-1), the valve core must be depressed and the air released slowly
To release all air from a strut without a valve core (MS28889), the strut must be slowly extended while checking for air release
A special tool should be used to depress the valve core of a strut with AN2687-1 valve core
In servicing landing gear shock struts, the strut is typically illustrated horizontally to facilitate maintenance and servicing
Aircraft on jacks require full compression of the strut to achieve proper servicing and maintenance
MS28889 valve fittings do not require removal of the valve core for releasing air from the strut

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Description

Learn about the use of internal metering tubes and damping devices in aircraft landing gear shock struts to control fluid flow and prevent sharp impacts. Understand how recoil valves and recoil tubes help improve the performance and longevity of the landing gear.

Aircraft Landing Gear Shock Struts and Damping Devices

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