RCAIDE.Library.Methods.Mass_Properties.Weight_Buildups.Conventional.Transport.FLOPS.compute_landing_gear_weight

compute_landing_gear_weight#

compute_landing_gear_weight(vehicle)[source]#

Computes the landing gear weight using NASA FLOPS weight estimation method. Accounts for aircraft type, size, and operational requirements.

Parameters:

vehicle (Vehicle) –

The vehicle instance containing:
  • networkslist

    Propulsion system data for nacelle dimensions

  • design_rangefloat

    Design range [nmi]

  • systems.accessoriesstr

    Aircraft type (‘short-range’, ‘commuter’, ‘medium-range’, ‘long-range’, ‘sst’, ‘cargo’)

  • mass_properties.max_takeofffloat

    Maximum takeoff weight [kg]

  • wings[‘main_wing’].dihedralfloat

    Wing dihedral angle [rad]

  • fuselages[‘fuselage’]Fuselage
    Primary fuselage with:
    • widthfloat

      Maximum width [m]

    • lengths.totalfloat

      Total length [m]

Returns:

output

Container with weight breakdown:
  • mainfloat

    Main landing gear weight [kg]

  • nosefloat

    Nose landing gear weight [kg]

Return type:

Data

Notes

Uses FLOPS correlations developed from transport aircraft database, with adjustments for different aircraft types. Please refer to the FLOPS documentation for more details: https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20170005851

Major Assumptions
  • Average landing gear

  • Not designed for carrier operations (CARBAS = 0)

  • Not a fighter aircraft (DFTE = 0)

  • Retractable gear configuration

Theory Main gear weight is computed using: .. math:

W_{MLG} = (0.0117 - 0.0012D_{FTE})W_{L}^{0.95}X_{MLG}^{0.43}

Nose gear weight is computed using: .. math:

W_{NLG} = (0.048 - 0.0080D_{FTE})W_{L}^{0.67}X_{NLG}^{0.43}(1 + 0.8C_{B})
where:
  • W_L = landing weight

  • X_MLG = extended main gear length

  • X_NLG = extended nose gear length

  • D_FTE = fighter aircraft flag

  • C_B = carrier-based flag

References

[1] NASA Flight Optimization System (FLOPS)