Report on Airbus A380 Landing Gear System: Components & Testing

This report details the landing gear system of the Airbus A380, focusing on its 16 brakes manufactured by Safran Landing Systems. It discusses the comprehensive testing program during type certification by the FAA and EASA, which included systems, structural, and flight tests to ensure airworthiness. The report also highlights future developments such as the use of lightweight carbon brakes to reduce fuel consumption, the shift towards electric landing gear systems, auto troubleshooting, and the application of nanomaterials in component manufacturing. The original manufacturer of these components was Goodrich Corporation, formerly known as BFGoodrich, but the current manufacturer is Safran Landing Systems.

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LANDING GEAR SYSTEM OF AIRBUS A380
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Landing Gear System of Airbus A380
The landing gear system of Airbus A380 is installed with 16 brakes that are categorized
as normal brakes, alternative brakes (with anti-skid), alternate emergency brakes, emergency
brakes, ultimate brakes and park brakes. The brakes are installed on 16 of the 20 wheels of the
main landing gear system (Huber, 2011). The original manufacturer of these components was
Goodrich Corporation, formerly known as BFGoodrich. Goodrich Corporation was purchased by
United Technologies Corporation in July 2012 at a price of $18.4 billion (United Technologies,
2011). In October 2012, United Technologies Corporation sold Goodrich’s power systems
division to Safran for $400 million (United Technologies, 2012). Therefore the current
manufacturer of landing gear system of Airbus A380 is Safran Landing Systems.
The test program during type certification of Airbus A380 was very comprehensive and
dynamic. The program comprised of systems testing, structural testing, structural fatigue testing
and flight tests (Airbus, 2006). During certification testing, the airplane was loaded to maximum
takeoff weight, fitted out with brakes and blasted down the runway until reaching a speed of 170
knots. The pilots then slowed the controls to idle and stood on the brakes (this action can only be
taken during an emergency). The aircraft screamed to a stop (Huber, 2011). The type
certification was performed by two main international governing agencies: Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) and European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). The certification showed
airworthiness of Airbus A380 manufacturing design.

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One of the future developments of the landing gear system of Airbus A380 is
development of carbon brakes, which are lightweight thus reducing fuel consumption and engine
emissions. Another future development is technological advances of the landing gear system,
such as shifting from hydraulic landing gear systems to electric landing gear systems (such as
electrical braking system) (Derber, 2018). Other future developments include: auto
troubleshooting, testing and maintenance systems; and use of nanomaterials in the manufacture
of landing gear system components.
References
Airbus, 2006. Airbus A380 Receives Joint EASA & FAA Type Certification. [Online]
Available at: http://www.airbus.com/newsroom/press-releases/en/2006/12/airbus-a380-receives-joint-
easa-faa-type-certification.html
[Accessed 16 June 2018].
Derber, A., 2018. Essentials About New Landing Gear Developments. [Online]
Available at: http://www.mro-network.com/engineering-design/essentials-about-new-landing-gear-
developments
[Accessed 16 June 2018].
Huber, M., 2011. How Things Work: Stopping the A380. [Online]
Available at: https://www.airspacemag.com/flight-today/how-things-work-stopping-the-a380-
27549065/
[Accessed 16 June 2018].
United Technologies, 2011. United Technologies To Acquire Goodrich Corporation - Complements And
Strengthens Position In Aerospace And Defense Industry. [Online]
Available at: http://www.utc.com/News/News-Center/Pages/United-Technologies-To-Acquire-
Goodrich-Corporation-Complements-And-Strengthens.aspx
[Accessed 16 June 2018].
United Technologies, 2012. United Technologies to Sell lectric Power Systems Unit. [Online]
Available at: http://www.utc.com/News/News-Center/Pages/United-Technologies-to-sell-Electric-
Power-Systems-unit.aspx
[Accessed 16 June 2018].

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