EXPERIMENTAL AND ANALYTICAL DETERMINATION OF CHARACTERISTICS AFFECTING LIGHT AIRCRAFT LANDING-GEAR DYNAMICS

An experimental and analytical investigation was conducted to determine which characteristics of a light aircraft landing gear influence gear dynamic behavior significantly. The investigation focused particularly on possible modification for load control. Pseudostatic tests were conducted to determine the gear fore-and-aft spring constant, axial friction as a function of drag load, brake pressure-torque characteristics, and tire force-deflection characteristics. To study dynamic tire response, vertical drops were conducted at impact velocities of 1.2, 1.5, and 1.8 m/s onto a level surface; to determine axial-friction effects, a second series of vertical drops were made at 1.5 m/s onto surfaces inclined 5 deg and 10 deg to the horizontal. An average dynamic axial-friction coefficient of 0.15 was obtained by comparing analytical data with inclined surface drop test data. Dynamic strut bending and associated axial friction were found to be severe for the drop tests on the 10 deg surface.

• Corporate Authors:

  Langley Research Center

  National Aeronautics and Space Administration
  Hampton, VA  United States  23665
• Authors:
  • Fasanella, E L
  • Mcgehee, J R
  • Pappas, M S
• Publication Date: 1977-11

Media Info

• Pagination: 46 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aircraft; Braking; Coefficient of friction; Drag; Drop tests; Dynamics; Friction; Landing gear; Load tests; Small aircraft; Tires
• Uncontrolled Terms: Dynamic characteristics
• Old TRIS Terms: Aircraft tires; Landing loads
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00174981
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: NASA-TM-X-3561
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Apr 26 1978 12:00AM