Landing-Gear Drop-Test Rig Development and Application for Light Airplanes

A drop-test rig is developed for the landing gear of a light multifunctional amphibious airplane based on its drop-test specifications. Several key technologies (including the schematic design of light-aircraft drop test, the control-system design for the drop test, the high-speed turn of the wheel, the accurate lifting of the drop system, design of the measuring platform, and the imitation of the runway) are studied. Simultaneously, the system can realize accurate measurement and conduct the light-aircraft drop test with high-speed belt turn. Based on a drop test under initial parameters to get the friction between the tire and platform, and the elastic parameters of the wheel simulate the interactions of components, the simulation models are repeatedly modified by analyzing the results of comparisons between drop test and simulation. Thus, an accurate model is established with optimal parameters, which verifies that the shock-absorbing properties of the landing gear with the optimal parameters meet the requirement of China Civil Aviation Regulation Order No. 132 (CCAR-23-R3) and the application of virtual prototype technology for the light multifunctional amphibious airplane, the adjusting-parameter drop test, the limited drop test, and the reserve-energy absorption drop test of the nose landing gear are accomplished. The limited load measured in the test is less than the design load, and the landing gear can bear the reserve-energy absorption drop test. The study that the adjusting-parameter drop test for establishing a simulation model is an available and reliable way to optimize the shock-absorbing properties of an amphibious-aircraft landing gear. The test system can be applied for the landing-gear drop-test of other light airplanes. Moreover, the test results can be used as the certification of the airworthiness for the airplane. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]