Landing Gear Systems

Landing Gear Systems fall into two categories: fixed or retractable. In a fixed landing gear system, the aircraft's gears remain down and locked in position to take off and land at all times. It is beneficial because of ease of use for pilots and the small amount of maintenance for upkeep and operations. The retractable aircraft landing gear is different because it rises into the body of the aircraft after takeoff using a hydraulic pump. Before landing the same hydraulic system is used to lower the gear into position (PHAK, 2016). The retractable landing gear benefits aircraft because it is more aerodynamic, however it also introduces potential safety hazards when the hydraulic systems do not function as intended (Special VFR, 2016). 

There are several safety measures taken to accompany a hydraulically-dependent landing gear. These retractable landing gear aircraft are supplied with circuitry to prevent the landing gear from collapsing while on the ground, alternative systems to extend the gear such as a manual crank in the cockpit, and a maximum airspeed to manually operate the landing gear (Berry, 2016). Additionally, aircraft are equipped with a warning system built in to alert pilots when the gear is not extended or retracted fully (Berry, 2019). Without a landing gear, aircraft would land on the belly of the aircraft, which is not built to withstand much impact from the ground. Much damage to aircraft and occupants can happen when the landing gear is not operational. 

If there is not proper maintenance on hydraulic fluid levels and landing gear systems, many aspects of flight, including taking off and landing, can be adversely affected. Additionally, if there is a leak in the hydraulic system, fluid levels can decrease rapidly, sometimes without notice. Thorough checklists can better ensure safe hydraulic levels for the aircraft's landing gear system, and proper electrical operations for the landing gear warning systems can offset the safety hazards associated with retractable landing gears. 

References

Berry, M. (2019, April). Retractable Gear Systems: Even well-maintained systems can leave you sitting in the middle of the runway. Aviation Safety, 39(4), 8+. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A581680847/AONE?u=embry&sid=AONE&xid=bf22e604

Federal Aviation Administration. “Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (PHAK),” 2016. Retrieved https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/phak/.

Smith, P. (2016, September, 09). Aircraft Systems - 04 - Landing Gear [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skv6CgCY3vM&list=PLzW-Ub1FWeZzdOHQhNK0U0Ci1a-VRH8IO&index=35

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Environmental Factor that Affects Aircraft Performance

Aircraft performance is a science. How an aircraft flies depends heavily on two factors - pressure and temperature. Atmospheric pressure applies a weight, and therefore a force on aircraft in flight (PHAK, 11-2). The atmosphere becomes less dense with increased altitude. Without acknowledging the environmental effect of air pressure on an aircraft, pilots would not have an accurate reading on their altitude or be able to determine the aircraft's capabilities. 

The average atmosphere weighs 14.7 pounds per square inch (PSI) (PHAK, 11-2). This matters because as the atmospheric density decreases, there is less air for the engine to operate with, the propeller becomes less efficient thus creating less thrust, and lift is decreased due to less force on the airfoils (PHAK, 11-2). 

Pilots rely on an instrument called an altimeter to get an accurate reading on pressure altitude, which affects aircraft performance and also when assigning aircraft to altitudes above 18,000 feet (PHAK, 11-3). The aircraft’s altimeter takes measurements in mercury and millibars. The standard surface pressure at sea level is 29.92 inches of mercury, and the altimeter automatically shows the altitude when operating in the standard atmosphere (PHAK 11-3). When the atmosphere has additional pressure forces, the pilots adjust their altimeter to account for the pressure changes and provide an accurate altitude. As the density of the air increases, so will the performance of the aircraft. Temperature also affects the density of the atmosphere. As the air temperature increases, density decreases. As air temperature decreases, density increases (PHAK, 4-4). Pilots need to know the atmospheric pressure and pressure to determine the aircraft's capabilities. 

(PHAK, 11-2, figure 11-1)

References 

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). (2016). Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (PHAK).                 Retrieved https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/phak/

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269

Ethics in the Aviation Industry

The aviation industry is a unique career field because it is seldom a grey area. The purpose of air traffic control is to prevent collisions, provide a safe airspace, and support homeland defense missions (FAA, 2020).

To ensure safe operations, there are an abundance of rules in place in aviation.  Ethical thinking and behavior supports an environment of trust and truthful communication between everyone operating in the aviation realm.  

If a pilot does not adhere to an altitude he/she was assigned in order to arrive to the airport sooner, a collision may occur. If an air traffic controller makes assumptions rather than verifying what the pilot request, there is no way to ensure a safe airspace. If a maintainer chooses not to do a final safety check on the aircraft he/she is responsible for, many safety issues may arise in flight. 

There are countless ways aviation can become unsafe. By adhering to a higher level of ethics, the most important being truthfulness, integrity, and personal responsibility, aviation accidents and mishaps can be kept to a minimum and provide a safe place to operate.  

Resource:

Federal Aviation Administration. United States Department of Transportation. (2020). 

    Joint Order 7110.65Y CHG 1. https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/atpubs/atc_html/