Aircraft Ground Test Validation of a Variable-Response Landing Gear Concept.

摘要

Taxi tests involving an A-37B aircraft were performed at Wichita Municipal Airport, Kansas. The main landing gear was modified to minimize strut friction and to incorporate a softer pneumatic spring. It was found that elimination of strut friction alone, or elimination of strut friction combined with the use of a softer pneumatic spring could significantly reduce aircraft wing stresses. For the cantilever type strut tested, it was determined that reduction of strut friction should be the primary target in attempting to reduce the transmission of ground loads to the airframe. These tests also verified the ability to test trends in landing gear load transmission characteristics using a landing gear drop tower and a hydraulic vibration machine.