Testing a wheeled landing gear system for the TH-57 helicopter.

Abstract

Using the main gear from a Cessna 182 and the nose gear from a Grumman AAI-B, (patent pending) a comparison with the skid gear currently installed on the TH-57 helicopters was conducted. The initial comparison was done using a structural analysis program, GIFTS, to simultaneously analyze and compare the gear systems. Experimental data was used to verify program results. Experimental testing was conducted for further code validation and analysis of each system's advantages and disadvantages. While the benefits of a wheeled system merit further study, the system analyzed requires modification to eliminate premature failure of the nose wheel attachment tube. Helicopter wheeled landing gear systems