Oleo shock strut
An oleo shock strut is a telescopic landing-gear strut that uses compressed gas as a spring and hydraulic fluid to damp movement.
- Where it is
- Between the wheel assembly and aircraft structure in the illustrated nose and main landing gear.
- What it does
- It absorbs and dissipates landing and taxi loads while allowing controlled compression and extension.
- Relationship
- The strut transfers landing loads from the wheels into the gear attachment structure while its gas and oil control the motion.
- Common confusion
- The tyre and shock strut both soften ground loads, but the tyre deforms at the wheel while the oleo telescopes within the gear leg.
Check yourself
Without looking back, can you explain where the oleo shock strut is, what it does, and which component drives it or is driven by it?
Scope: Generic transport-aircraft teaching model. Reviewed 2026-09-09.