NASHUA, N.H. — An aircraft's landing gear takes a beating. It absorbs landing impact and handles repeated loads throughout its service life. Before manufacturers put a new system into service, engineers must determine how well it performs under those conditions.

Testing begins early on. Engineers use computer models, laboratory equipment and controlled loading to evaluate individual components. They then move to ground and flight tests to see how the complete system performs.

How do engineers test landing gear in the laboratory?

One of the first challenges is determining how the landing gear handles the force of touchdown. Engineers simulate landing impacts by mounting the gear assembly on a test rig and releasing it under controlled conditions. Instruments measure the forces acting on the structure and record how the shock absorber responds.

The measurements help engineers assess the system's ability to absorb energy and check whether their computer models accurately predict its behavior. If the results differ from their calculations, they investigate the cause before moving forward.

How do engineers measure strength and durability?

Landing gear also encounters loads during ground operations like braking and turning. Engineers must account for these forces when evaluating the structure.

Structural tests apply controlled loads to components such as landing gear struts and attachment points. Engineers measure how the parts respond and whether they meet the applicable strength requirements. Endurance tests address a different concern: repeated use. Engineers cycle components through loading conditions to assess fatigue and uncover weaknesses that may develop over time.

Environmental testing examines how equipment performs when exposed to temperature changes, vibration, moisture and other operating conditions. Together, these evaluations help engineers determine whether the design can withstand service demands.

What happens during taxi testing?

Once engineers install the landing gear on an aircraft, they can assess its performance during ground operations. Low-speed taxi tests let teams check steering, braking and handling before introducing higher speeds.

High-speed taxi runs place much greater demands on the equipment. Engineers collect data on how the landing gear responds to runway loads and how the aircraft behaves during acceleration and braking.

These tests also help identify problems that may not appear when engineers look at components separately.

Why does landing gear need flight testing?

Laboratory and ground tests cannot reproduce every condition a vehicle encounters during takeoff and landing. During flight testing, engineers measure operating loads and break down how the landing gear interacts with other aircraft systems. For retractable gear, testing also addresses extension, retraction and locking functions.

Teams compare the results with earlier predictions and use the data to determine whether the system needs additional testing or design changes. The findings also offer evidence for certification, although successful flight tests alone do not establish compliance with every applicable requirement.

How does the D328eco program fit into this process?

HEGGEMANN AG and Deutsche Aircraft recently completed an initial flight-test campaign for a landing gear system designed for the existing Dornier 328 and the new D328eco.  The campaign provides data for further certification work and shows how manufacturers can use an existing aircraft to evaluate new equipment before the next-generation model enters service.