The landing gear system of the Airbus A320 is a critical component that supports the aircraft during taxi, takeoff, and landing operations. It is designed to be robust, reliable, and capable of withstanding the forces and stresses involved in these phases of flight.
Landing Gear Configuration
The Airbus A320 has a tricycle landing gear configuration consisting of:
• One nose landing gear (NLG)
• Two main landing gears (MLG)
This configuration ensures stability during taxiing, takeoff, and landing.
Nose Landing Gear
• Located at the forward fuselage section.
• Steerable to assist in directional control on the ground.
• Equipped with two wheels.
• Retracts forward into the fuselage.
Main Landing Gear
• Located under the wings, attached to the wing-fuselage junction.
• Comprises two sets of wheels on each side (four wheels in total).
• Non-steerable but supports the aircraft’s weight and absorbs landing forces.
• Retracts inward towards the center of the fuselage into wheel wells located under the wings.
Shock Absorption
Each landing gear leg is equipped with an oleo-pneumatic shock absorber that provides cushioning during landing. The shock absorber is a critical component that absorbs and dissipates the energy generated during touchdown. The oleo strut consists of a cylinder filled with nitrogen gas and hydraulic fluid.
Landing Gear Operation & Retraction
The landing gear is hydraulically actuated by the Green hydraulic system, one of the three hydraulic systems on the A320 (Green, Blue, and Yellow). The hydraulic system controls:
• Extension: The landing gear is extended when preparing for landing, controlled by the Landing Gear Control Lever in the cockpit.
• Retraction: After takeoff, the landing gear retracts into the wheel wells to reduce drag and improve aerodynamic efficiency.
Gravity extension system: In the event of hydraulic failure, the landing gear can be extended by gravity. When selected, mechanical locks are released, and the gear free-falls into place, secured by downlocks.
Position Indicators
The status of the landing gear (whether it is extended or retracted) is displayed in the cockpit. The Landing Gear Control and Indicating Panel (LGCIU) provides the following information:
• Gear position: green lights indicate the gear is down and locked, red lights indicate an unsafe or transitional state, and no light means the gear is retracted.
• Downlock sensors ensure the landing gear is securely locked in place when extended.
Landing Gear Control Interface Unit (LGCIU)
The LGCIU plays a vital role in the control and monitoring of the landing gear system. Two independent units (LGCIU 1 and LGCIU 2) are installed to ensure redundancy. They:
• Monitor the status of the landing gear.
• Interface with the cockpit controls to manage gear extension and retraction.
• Provide feedback to the flight crew regarding gear position and any faults detected in the system.
Hydraulic Systems for Landing Gear
The A320’s landing gear system relies primarily on the Green and Yellow hydraulic systems:
• Green hydraulic system: Powers the landing gear extension, retraction, and the MLG doors.
• Yellow hydraulic system: Powers the NLG steering system.
In case of a Green hydraulic system failure, the gravity extension system can still deploy the landing gear.
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