What are the Main Helicopter Landing Gear Types?
Helicopters have come a long way since their creation in Germany during WWII. We have seen the emergence and evolution of helicopters for attack, transport, observation, utility, and beyond. Despite the multiple applications that helicopters can serve, they often use the same types of landing gear. The most common landing gear for helicopters includes wheels, skids, and floats. In this blog, we will discuss the three main types of landing gear and what their differences are.
Wheels serve as the original landing gear for helicopters and are still widely used to this day for many models and applications. Wheels provide great ground maneuverability that makes taxiing for liftoff easier. They also have reduced drag as compared to other styles of landing gear if the model features retractability. Their downsides, however, are that they can cause increased maintenance and add much weight to a helicopter, which can prove detrimental for lighter rotorcraft as hydraulics and brake systems can add a few hundred pounds to the vehicle.
Skids prove to be a much lighter alternative to wheels, making them very beneficial to lighter helicopters. As they are a fixed placement, they also require much less maintenance than wheels do. Their disadvantages lie in their inability to be easily taxiid for flight. With skids, they can be moved with ground handling wheels or a platform dolly, but these may require multiple people or a pilot who is confident in landing on a platform.
The third, though less common, form of landing gear is floats. These helicopters have the added benefit of being able to takeoff and land from the ground or water, opening them to many other applications. These helicopters can feature a waterproof or resistant hull, as well as be fitted with utility floats. Float landing gear allows for helicopter use in air-sea rescue, oceanography, marine salvage, as well as any standard helicopter operation.
With each type of landing gear, the use will be the deciding factor for which type of landing gear is the best fit. Considering the weight, type of landing desired, and abilities can help ensure that the right helicopter landing gear is chosen.
At ASAP Aviation Stock, owned and operated by ASAP Semiconductor, we can help you find helicopter skids and accessories you need, new or obsolete. As a premier supplier of parts for the aerospace, civil aviation, and defense industries, we're always available and ready to help you find all the parts and equipment you need, 24/7x365. For a quick and competitive quote, email us at sales@asapaviationstock.com or call us at +1-763-401-8616.
Share
