Types of Landing Gear Equipment and Aircraft Servicing Tools

Conventional, tail dragger or tailwheel-type airplane landing gear — it goes by many names. Many of the earliest aircraft use this landing gear configuration, and while it has since fallen in popularity, it's still common to see classic aircraft with conventional gear.

This type of landing gear utilizes two main wheels located ahead of the center of gravity to support the majority of the aircraft's weight. Occasionally, the plane's tail will require additional support from a third-wheel assembly. Some aircraft use a skid instead of a tailwheel, helping to slow the aircraft upon landing and providing better directional stability. Conventional landing gear is beneficial when operating in and out of non-paved runways as it allows for increased clearance for the forward fuselage. Conventional landing gear also allows for adequate ground clearance for larger propellers.

Few aircraft are designed with tandem landing gear configurations, with military aircraft and sailplanes being the most common exceptions.

This type of landing gear features the main gear and tail gear aligned on the airplane's longitudinal axis. This allows for the use of flexible wings as well as reduced drag during deployment. Designs do vary, though. Some only have one gear forward on the fuselage with a skid underneath the tail, whereas others only use a small, outrigger gear under the wings for support.

Tricycle-type landing gear is arguably the most common type of aircraft landing gear system and has been in use for the past several decades. This landing gear type is actually the combination of two separate landing gears – the main landing gear, which is located under the fuselage, and the nose gear found under the aircraft's nose.

This type of landing gear is commonly used on most large and light general aviation aircraft. Its design features two main wheels attached to the airframe behind the center of gravity. This supports most of the structure's weight and controls the aircraft, while the nose wheel only provides steering control. There are quite a few benefits to tricycle-type landing gear. It offers better visibility from the flight deck, allows for a more forceful application of the brakes and prevents ground-looping of the aircraft, keeping the airplane moving forward in a straight line.

An aircraft tire bead breaker is used to break the bead or bond between a tire and wheel. It takes little effort and separates the two without damaging the expensive cast wheels. At Tronair, we carry a vast selection of bead breakers and accessories that can easily break even the most challenging beads.

Efficient wheel transportation is crucial to keeping maintenance procedures moving while saving on unnecessary costs. An aircraft wheel dolly allows operators to transport wheels safely, quickly and efficiently.

Oxygen can have a negative reaction with rubber when used at higher altitudes. Because of this, nitrogen is used to inflate aircraft tires. The right aircraft nitrogen service tools are necessary to meet all pneumatic requirements.

Proper aircraft maintenance and servicing are crucial to safety. So, it's essential to utilize the right landing gear servicing tools in any maintenance routine and system. This will allow the staff to safely and efficiently service struts, brakes and tires.

Aircraft brake service units are used to service an aircraft's braking system and test for brake pressure and potential bleeds. While being able to fly is important, it's equally critical to be able to stop.

Aircraft axle jacks are helpful pieces of equipment used for tire repair and replacement, brake service repair and any maintenance procedure when lifting the nose and/or main landing gear is necessary. Axle jacks are placed directly on or underneath the aircraft's landing gear.