FAA Aviation Mechanic Airframe (AMA)Landing Gear SystemsMedium
A technician is inspecting a main landing gear configuration on a business jet in which the wheel and axle assembly is positioned aft of and below the strut pivot, connected by a rigid arm that pivots as the strut compresses. What type of landing gear arrangement is this?
- ATrailing link (trailing arm) gear
- BTandem gear
- CTelescopic strut gear
- DBogie (truck) gear
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Trailing link (trailing arm) gear
Trailing link (trailing arm) landing gear positions the wheel on an arm that trails aft of the pivot point and swings upward as the strut compresses, providing a smoother ride over rough surfaces and better shock absorption during touchdown.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Tandem gear places two gear sets in a fore-aft line on the same side of the fuselage, unrelated to arm geometry.
- C. Telescopic struts compress in a straight line with the wheel directly under the strut, without a trailing arm.
- D. Bogie/truck gear uses multiple wheels on a common frame, but not necessarily a trailing arm.
Trailing Link Landing Gear
A gear design where the wheel/axle is mounted on an arm trailing behind the strut pivot, which rotates upward as the strut compresses, improving shock absorption.
- Wheel mounted on a pivoting trailing arm
- Provides smoother, more absorbent touchdown
- Common on business jets and off-airport capable aircraft
Memory trick: 'Trailing link trails behind like a dog on a leash, softening the bump'