Chapter 13 Aircraft Landing  Gear Systems Landing Gear Types Aircraft landing gear supports the entire weight of an aircraft  during landing and ground operations. They are attached to  primary structural members of the aircraft. The type of gear  depends on the aircraft design and its intended use. Most  landing gear have wheels to facilitate operation to and from  hard surfaces, such as airport runways. Other gear feature  skids for this purpose, such as those found on helicopters,  balloon gondolas, and in the tail area of some tail dragger  aircraft. Aircraft that operate to and from frozen lakes and  snowy areas may be equipped with landing gear that have  skis. Aircraft that operate to and from the surface of water  have pontoon-type landing gear. Regardless of the type of  landing gear utilized, shock absorbing equipment, brakes,  retraction mechanisms, controls, warning devices, cowling,  fairings, and structural members necessary to attach the  gear to the aircraft are considered parts of the landing gear  system.  [Figure 13-1] 