Wheels or Skids for your Helicopter?
Across the various helicopter models and categories used across the world, the two main types of landing gear that are most widely present are wheels and skids. Helicopter wheel landing gear typically consists of three or more wheels attached to the bottom of the helicopter, and the number depends on the intended operation and helicopter type. Helicopter skids, on the other hand, are long, fixed components that provide for similar landing abilities as wheels do. While each provides for their own advantages and disadvantages, there is no particular “better” choice. Wheels and skids both may benefit particular applications better than one another, and choosing between the two should depend on various factors of the helicopter in question. In this blog, we will discuss the differences between the two landing gear types, and the applications and helicopters that each serve best.
Since the inception of early rotorcraft, wheels began as the main form of landing gear for all helicopter types. As helicopters were mainly used at airports, helicopter skid parts were most beneficial for taxiing around a runway and performing other ground movement as necessary. Helicopter wheel parts also serve to take on the impact forces of landing, protecting other components of the vehicle. Currently, wheel installations on helicopters may provide semi or full retractability, providing for a potential decrease in drag during flight. This allows for wheeled helicopters to achieve a higher cruising speed. Wheels do have their downsides, however, and these include increased maintenance due to complexity, and may be heavier in weight.
Skids as landing gear were an innovation that spawned in the mid 1950’s in response to various pilots’ concerns for landing conditions that wheels faced problems with. Whether the pilot was trying to land on uneven terrain or on muddy surfaces, wheels would often present issues that made landing in these areas more difficult. With helicopter skids and accessories, helicopters propellers parts can land on more varying terrain, protecting equipment from damage and wear. Skids are also much lighter in weight as compared to wheels, as well as are easier to maintain due to their simplicity in design. Unlike wheels though, skids have a harder time handling ground transportation, requiring the attachment of ground handling wheels or a platform dolly to be taxiid. With these attachments, multiple people or power assisted tugs still may be required for movement.
Due to their differences, the best type of helicopter landing gear is majorly dependent upon their application and other such factors. Smaller helicopters that are used for landing on many different types of terrain may best benefit from skids to be lighter in weight and for more variation of operation due to terrain capability. Helicopters engine parts will most often not have to be concerned for the weight that wheels put on, and wheels contribute to shock absorption that is heavily needed when the rotorcraft is more than four tons. With all considered, the helicopter’s size, intended operations, and other factors should be taken into account to make an educated purchase.
When it comes time to begin sourcing the helicopter engine parts, wheels, and skids that you need, look no further than ASAP Aviation Stock. ASAP Aviation Stock is owned and operated by ASAP Semiconductor, and we can help you find aircraft instrument parts 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.
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