Description should include the following:
- The landing gear on small aircraft consists of three wheels—two main wheels (one located on each side of the fuselage) and a third wheel positioned either at the front or rear of the airplane.
- Landing gear employing a rear-mounted wheel is called conventional landing gear.
- Airplanes with conventional landing gear are often referred to as tailwheel airplanes.
- When the third wheel is located on the nose, it is called a nosewheel, and the design is referred to as a tricycle gear.
- A steerable nosewheel or tailwheel permits the airplane to be controlled throughout all operations while on the ground.
- Landing gear can also be classified as either fixed or retractable.
- Fixed landing gear always remains extended and has the advantage of simplicity combined with low maintenance.
- Retractable landing gear is designed to streamline the airplane by allowing the landing gear to be stowed inside the structure during cruising flight.
PLT138