Numerical Simulation of Gear Walk Instability in an Aircraft Landing Gear

This paper deals with the simulation, in a multibody framework, of a particular type of landing gear-induced instability known as "gear walk". This low frequency fore-and-aft oscillation of the landing gear is primarily due to the coupling of the landing gear structural flexibility with the brake anti-skid control system characteristics. A case study of a landing gear known to suffer gear walk during normal landing conditions is presented. The multibody model components used for its simulation are explained and the numerical results obtained are presented and discussed.