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608 

14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

§ 29.723 

source (such as hydrualic pumps), and 
such items as valves, lines, and actu-
ators. 

(c) The failure of mechanical parts 

(such as piston rods and links), and the 
jamming of power cylinders, must be 
considered unless they are extremely 
improbable. 

L

ANDING

G

EAR

 

§ 29.723

Shock absorption tests. 

The landing inertia load factor and 

the reserve energy absorption capacity 
of the landing gear must be substan-
tiated by the tests prescribed in 
§§ 29.725 and 29.727, respectively. These 
tests must be conducted on the com-
plete rotorcraft or on units consisting 
of wheel, tire, and shock absorber in 
their proper relation. 

§ 29.725

Limit drop test. 

The limit drop test must be con-

ducted as follows: 

(a) The drop height must be at least 

8 inches. 

(b) If considered, the rotor lift speci-

fied in § 29.473(a) must be introduced 
into the drop test by appropriate en-
ergy absorbing devices or by the use of 
an effective mass. 

(c) Each landing gear unit must be 

tested in the attitude simulating the 
landing condition that is most critical 
from the standpoint of the energy to be 
absorbed by it. 

(d) When an effective mass is used in 

showing compliance with paragraph (b) 
of this section, the following formulae 
may be used instead of more rational 
computations. 

W

W

h

d

h

d

n

n

W

W

L

e

j

e

=

× + −

+

=

+

(

)

;

1 L

and

where: 

W

e

= the effective weight to be used in the 

drop test (lbs.). 

W = W

M

for main gear units (lbs.), equal to 

the static reaction on the particular unit 
with the rotorcraft in the most critical 
attitude. A rational method may be used 
in computing a main gear static reac-
tion, taking into consideration the mo-
ment arm between the main wheel reac-
tion and the rotorcraft center of gravity. 

W = W

N

for nose gear units (lbs.), equal to 

the vertical component of the static re-

action that would exist at the nose 
wheel, assuming that the mass of the 
rotorcraft acts at the center of gravity 
and exerts a force of 1.0

g  downward and 

0.25

forward. 

W = W

t

for tailwheel units (lbs.) equal to 

whichever of the following is critical— 

(1) The static weight on the tailwheel with 

the rotorcraft resting on all wheels; or 

(2) The vertical component of the ground 

reaction that would occur at the tailwheel 
assuming that the mass of the rotorcraft 
acts at the center of gravity and exerts a 
force of 1

g  downward with the rotorcraft in 

the maximum nose-up attitude considered in 
the nose-up landing conditions. 

= specified free drop height (inches). 
L  = ratio of assumed rotor lift to the rotor-

craft weight. 

d  = deflection under impact of the tire (at 

the proper inflation pressure) plus the 
vertical component of the axle travel 
(inches) relative to the drop mass. 

= limit inertia load factor. 
n

j

= the load factor developed, during impact, 

on the mass used in the drop test (i.e., 
the acceleration 

dv/dt  in  g’s recorded in 

the drop test plus 1.0). 

[Doc. No. 5084, 29 FR 16150, Dec. 3, 1964, as 
amended by Amdt. 29–3, 33 FR 967, Jan. 26, 
1968] 

§ 29.727

Reserve energy absorption 

drop test. 

The reserve energy absorption drop 

test must be conducted as follows: 

(a) The drop height must be 1.5 times 

that specified in § 29.725(a). 

(b) Rotor lift, where considered in a 

manner similar to that prescribed in 
§ 29.725(b), may not exceed 1.5 times the 
lift allowed under that paragraph. 

(c) The landing gear must withstand 

this test without collapsing. Collapse 
of the landing gear occurs when a 
member of the nose, tail, or main gear 
will not support the rotorcraft in the 
proper attitude or allows the rotorcraft 
structure, other than landing gear and 
external accessories, to impact the 
landing surface. 

[Doc. No. 5084, 29 FR 16150, Dec. 3, 1964, as 
amended by Amdt. 27–26, 55 FR 8003, Mar. 6, 
1990] 

§ 29.729

Retracting mechanism. 

For rotorcraft with retractable land-

ing gear, the following apply: 

(a) 

Loads.  The landing gear, retract-

ing mechanism, wheel well doors, and 
supporting structure must be designed 
for— 

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