EXPERIMENTAL ANALYSIS OF ULTRALIGHT AIRCRAFT TYRE BEHAVIOUR UNDER AIRCRAFT LANDING PHASE

Abstract

The aim of the research described in this paper is analysis of the deformation of the aircraft tyre subjected to static load. Based on the results of experimental tests with a different value of inflation pressure, favorable pressure conditions for use in the tyre of an ultralight aircraft were determined. The deflection characteristics of the tyre depending on the nominal pressure was determined using the digital image correlation technique. In the range of loads not leading to excessive tyre deflection, quite linear relation between vertical deflection and vertical force is observed. The safe minimum pressure in tyre loaded with a force of 12 kN is 2.5 bar. The experimental results will be used to select a shock absorber for a 600 kg ultralight, light sport aircraft commercialised by the company Ekolot (Krosno, Poland).