| Ground Loop (aviation) |
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First let us define the two main types of landing gear configurations that are commonly found. Conventional Landing Gear is set up with two wheels near the front of the plane and one smaller "taildragger" wheel, which is sometimes steerable, at the rear of the plane. This configuration is commonly referred to by the slang term "taildragger" to refer to either the aircraft itself, or the landing gear configuration in particular. Tricycle Landing Gear , on the other hand, has one steerable nose wheel set near the front of the plane, and a main pair of wheels set approximately under the middle of the wing. The latter configuration is by far the predominant one of the modern era. Both configurations can be found in both a fixed and retractable subtype depending on the aircraft and model. The ground loop phenomenon is predominantly associated with aircraft that have Conventional Landing Gear , due to the Centre Of Gravity being positioned behind the main wheels. It can also occur with Tricycle Landing Gear if too much force is applied to the nosewheel, relative to the speed of the aircraft while on the ground. If the aircraft heading is slightly different than the aircraft's direction of motion, a sideways force is exerted on the wheels. If this force is in front of the centre of gravity, the resulting moment rotates the aircraft's heading even further from its direction of motion. This increases the force and the process reinforces itself. To avoid a ground loop, the pilot must respond to any turning tendency quickly, while sufficient control authority is available. When ground loop occurs, it is usually in the context of an aircraft moving under its own power - either Taxiing , Landing or during Takeoff . Ground loop can cause extreme damage to the Undercarriage and Wingtips of an aircraft. Several incidents of ground loop have resulted in fatalities. |
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