Systems: Landing Gear

For information on retractable gear airplanes, check out the Multi-engine Course.

Landing Gear Type

1. Cessna 172:
   • Fixed, tricycle landing gear with a steerable nosewheel.
   • Main gear uses tubular spring steel for shock absorption.
   • Nose gear uses an oleo strut for shock absorption.
2. Piper Warrior:
   • Fixed, tricycle landing gear with a steerable nosewheel.
   • Main gear uses oleo struts for shock absorption.
   • Nose gear also uses an oleo strut.

Shock Absorption System

• Cessna 172:
  • Main Gear: Tubular spring steel flexes to absorb landing forces, requiring less maintenance.
  • Nose Gear: Uses an oleo strut, which is a pneumatic-hydraulic system filled with air (or nitrogen) and hydraulic fluid.
• Piper Warrior:
  • Main and Nose Gear: All three wheels use oleo struts, providing a smoother ride compared to the spring steel gear on the Cessna.

Steering System

• Cessna 172:
  • Nosewheel is steerable through a direct linkage to the rudder pedals.
  • Uses differential braking for tighter turns.
• Piper Warrior:
  • Nosewheel is steerable through a spring-loaded bungee connection to the rudder pedals.
  • Also uses differential braking for enhanced maneuverability on the ground.

Braking System

• Cessna 172:
  • Hydraulic brakes on the main wheels.
  • Controlled by pressing the top of the rudder pedals.
  • Parking brake traps hydraulic pressure when engaged.
• Piper Warrior:
  • Hydraulic brakes on the main wheels, similar to the Cessna.
  • Brakes are also activated via the top of the rudder pedals, with a parking brake feature.

Key Differences for Maintenance

1. Main Gear Shock Absorption:
   • Cessna 172: Minimal maintenance on the spring steel gear, but the oleo strut on the nose requires periodic servicing (e.g., checking fluid levels and air pressure).
   • Piper Warrior: Oleo struts on all three wheels require regular servicing.
2. Gear Construction:
   • The Cessna 172’s spring steel gear is simpler, lighter, and more durable.
   • The Piper Warrior’s oleo struts provide better shock absorption but are more complex and maintenance-intensive.

What to Know for an Oral Exam

Cessna 172:

1. What type of landing gear does the Cessna 172 have?
   • Fixed, tricycle gear with tubular spring steel main gear and an oleo strut nose gear.
2. How does the nosewheel steering work?
   • Direct linkage to the rudder pedals; differential braking can assist with tight turns.
3. What provides shock absorption?
   • Main gear: Tubular spring steel.
   • Nose gear: Oleo strut.
4. What routine maintenance is required?
   • Oleo strut fluid and air pressure checks for the nose gear.

Piper Warrior:

1. What type of landing gear does the Piper Warrior have?
   • Fixed, tricycle gear with oleo struts on all three wheels.
2. How does the nosewheel steering work?
   • Spring-loaded bungee system connected to the rudder pedals; differential braking assists.
3. What provides shock absorption?
   • All wheels: Oleo struts.
4. What routine maintenance is required?
   • Regular servicing of all oleo struts, including checking hydraulic fluid and air (or nitrogen) pressure