Messier-Dowty has joined the ranks for big-iron suppliers who
are taking small jets seriously. Unveiled here is a prototype for
a low-cost landing gear for under-5,000-pound jets and unmanned
air vehicles (UAVs), developed by the company's business and regional
division in Toronto.
The goal of the small aircraft landing-gear technology (SALT) project
was to take a non-traditional approach to reducing both acquisition
and operating cost. The SALT landing gear is made up of a few, simple
parts. The project has demonstrated electrical retraction and locks.
It eliminates fluid dampers and struts and replaces them with non-viscous
dampers and springs-if it doesn't contain fluid it can't leak. Messier-Dowty
also hopes to use some of this cost-saving technology in its larger
landing gears.
