Aerospace/Aviation/Main Landing Gears

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Expert: - 2/21/2007


Question
Hi Dottie, I have a question regarding the main landing gears of commercial aircrafts. Why are they angled upwards when landing? Thanks.  

Answer
Kevin

True, the main gear bogies on commercial aircraft often have an angle on them but it is not always upward. Some hang down as well. One reason they are angled (in which ever direction) is so that upon retraction, the main gear will fit into the wheel well bay. For example, the main gear well on the B767 is forward of the main gear pivot point, so to get the bogie to lie parallel with the longitudinal axis once retracted, the gear is designed with a downward tilt.

Here is a link of interest on the topic-
http://www.kls2.com/cgi-bin/arcfetch?db=sci.aeronautics.airliners&id=%3Cairliner...

Also, this question has been posted on the message forums at http://www.airliners.net A quick search of their boards may provide many posts of interest on the topic.

You will also find photos of the mains, with bogie angles in both directions, in their photo library.

Dottie  

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D. Norkus

Expertise

I can address questions about airline pilot employment & entry level airline careers in the United States, women pilots, flight training, pilot certification, U.S. flight scholarships (mostly for women), aviation & airline safety topics, aviation accident investigation and airline operations. ***Please note, I cannot address flight training & career queries from outside the United States, or aero engineering degree programs/careers, aviation management topics. ****

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Airline captain with 15 years past experience in airline ground operations. I have previously flown as a commercial skydive pilot & ferry pilot and majored in Aviation Science


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International Organization of Women Pilots- The Ninety-Nines, charter member of Women In Aviation International, Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association, Air Line Pilots Association.

Education/Credentials
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University; Aviation Safety/Accident investigation.

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