What is meant by the term "ground load" in relation to landing gear?

"Ground load" refers to the load that the landing gear supports during ground operations. This encompasses the weight of the aircraft when it is on the runway, taxiway, or parked. The landing gear is designed to absorb and distribute this load effectively to ensure stability and safety while the aircraft is on the ground.

Understanding ground load is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the landing gear and ensuring that it can handle the stresses experienced during taxiing, takeoffs, and landings. The landing gear must support not only the weight of the aircraft but also additional forces that may occur during ground maneuvers, such as turning and braking.

In context, aerodynamic resistance while landing pertains to the forces acting on the aircraft during its descent and touch-down phase, rather than the structural load on the landing gear. The vertical load during takeoff refers to the forces encountered as the aircraft lifts off, which is different from the static loads considered in ground operations. The maximum weight limit for flight ties into overall aircraft design and operational safety but does not specifically define the ground-related stresses.