Explain how an oleo strut works.

The oleo strut is a key component in aircraft landing gear that utilizes a combination of compressed air and hydraulic fluid to absorb shock during landing and takeoff. When the aircraft lands, the impact compresses the air in the strut while simultaneously forcing hydraulic fluid through orifices within the strut. This process converts the kinetic energy from the landing into thermal energy within the fluid, effectively damping the shock loads experienced by the airframe.

The design of the oleo strut allows for adjustable damping characteristics due to the interplay of pressure from the compressed air and the hydraulic fluid. This system not only absorbs the initial impact force but also controls the rate at which the strut rebounds, helping maintain stability and control during landing operations.

Other choices present mechanisms that are not typical for oleo struts. One option suggests the use of solely a spring mechanism, which doesn’t account for the fluid dynamics involved in effective shock absorption within oleo struts. Another choice points to a fluid system maintaining pressure, but it lacks the additional context of combined air and fluid for shock absorption, which is critical for the oleo design. Lastly, the use of rubber materials for vibration absorption does not apply to oleo struts, as these components are specifically designed to