Landing Gear Systems
Landing Gear Systems is a core knowledge area on the AMT — Airframe FAA written exam. This hub collects our 16 in-depth, ACS-aligned landing gear systems articles — each written in plain English and grounded in the official FAA handbooks. Work through them below, then drill the topic with practice questions.
Retractable Landing Gear Operating Principles
Retractable landing gear systems reduce aerodynamic drag in flight by retracting wheels into the fuselage or wings; understanding their hydraulic, electric, and emergency operating principles is essential for safe maintenance and inspection.
Tricycle vs Conventional (Tailwheel) Landing Gear Geometry
Tricycle and conventional tailwheel landing gear each place the aircraft's weight and center of gravity differently, creating distinct ground-handling characteristics, stability trade-offs, and maintenance considerations critical for AMT certification.
Fixed vs Retractable Landing Gear Configurations
Fixed and retractable landing gear systems each offer distinct structural, aerodynamic, and maintenance trade-offs that every airframe technician and pilot must understand to ensure safe, airworthy aircraft operations.
Electric Motor-Driven Landing Gear Actuation Systems
Electric motor-driven landing gear systems use reversible DC motors and mechanical transmission components to extend and retract the gear, offering reliability and precise control without hydraulic fluid.
Hydraulic Landing Gear Actuation Systems
Hydraulic landing gear actuation systems use pressurized fluid to extend and retract landing gear reliably and quickly, forming the backbone of retractable gear design on most certificated aircraft.
Mechanical Landing Gear Uplocks and Downlocks
Mechanical uplocks and downlocks are the critical locking mechanisms that hold retractable landing gear firmly in the up or down position, preventing inadvertent movement during flight or landing.
Emergency Landing Gear Extension Procedures and Systems
Emergency landing gear extension systems allow pilots and mechanics to safely lower the gear when primary hydraulic or electrical systems fail, using backup methods such as free-fall, manual hand pumps, or CO₂ bottles.
Landing Gear Position Indicating Systems and Warning Lights
Landing gear position indicating systems and warning lights give pilots and technicians a reliable snapshot of gear status—up, down, or in-transit—and alert crews to unsafe configurations before touchdown.
Landing Gear Retraction Sequence and Sequencing Valves
Landing gear retraction sequences use hydraulic sequencing valves to ensure doors open before gear moves and close after—critical for structural integrity and safe operation.
Nose Gear Steering Systems and Shimmy Dampers
Nose gear steering systems allow directional control on the ground via mechanical, hydraulic, or electrical means, while shimmy dampers suppress dangerous high-frequency wheel oscillations that can damage the airframe.
Main Gear Shock Strut (Oleo-Pneumatic) Operation and Servicing
Oleo-pneumatic shock struts absorb landing energy through a combination of compressed air/nitrogen and hydraulic fluid, and proper servicing—checking fluid level, nitrogen charge, and extension—is critical for safe landings and FAA knowledge-test success.
Aircraft Wheel and Brake Assembly Components
A detailed breakdown of aircraft wheel and brake assembly components—from wheel halves and bearings to brake discs, calipers, and anti-skid systems—covering how each part functions and why proper maintenance matters for safe landings.
Anti-Skid Brake Control Systems
Anti-skid brake control systems prevent wheel lockup during landing rollout by modulating hydraulic brake pressure in real time, maximizing stopping effectiveness while protecting tires and maintaining directional control.
Wheel Well Doors and Gear Door Actuation Mechanisms
Wheel well doors and gear door actuation mechanisms protect landing gear bays during flight, and understanding their sequencing, drive systems, and rigging is essential for AMT airframe certification.
Landing Gear Alignment and Rigging Procedures
Proper landing gear alignment and rigging ensures safe aircraft handling on the ground and during flight; misalignment can cause tire wear, structural stress, and compromised directional control.
Aircraft Tire Types, Ratings, and Inspection Criteria
Aircraft tires are highly engineered components rated for specific speeds, loads, and ply values; understanding their types, markings, and inspection criteria is essential for airworthy landing gear systems.
More AMT — Airframe subjects
Articles are original summaries grounded in the public-domain FAA handbooks and cite their source. ACS-aligned study aids — not a substitute for the official handbooks or regulations.