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Bungee cord landing gear material

Aviation Mechanic Airframe (AMA) practice question 15 of 17 on Landing Gear Systems. ACS element AM.II.E.K3 · difficulty: recall. Want to answer it in a timed quiz? Use the Aviation Mechanic Airframe (AMA) practice mode.

Question bank updated 2026-09-22

QUESTIONThe bungee cords used on some non-shock absorbing landing gear are made of what material?

  1. AMany small strands of elastic rubber
  2. BBraided carbon steel wire in a rubber jacket
  3. CLayers of nylon fabric set in hard resin
Show the answer and explanation

Correct answer: A. Many small strands of elastic rubber

  • A — correct The handbook states that bungees are made of many individual small strands of elastic rubber that must be inspected for condition.
  • B — incorrect High-strength carbon steel wire bundles are used in aircraft tire beads, not in landing gear bungee cords.
  • C — incorrect Fiber-and-resin construction describes composite leaf-type spring struts, which work by flexing rather than by elastic stretch.

BACKGROUND

Non-shock absorbing landing gear does not convert landing energy into heat; it transfers the loads back into the airframe at a rate that is not damaging. Leaf-type spring gear made of spring steel, aluminum, or composite does this by flexing, while bungee cord gear uses the geometry of the gear to let the strut assembly flex on landing. The bungee cords sit between the rigid airframe structure and the flexing gear assembly. Because they are built from many individual small strands of elastic rubber, their condition must be inspected. Some aircraft use solid, donut-type rubber cushions for the same purpose.

STUDY TIP

Remember that bungee gear stores energy in rubber, so the inspection is a rubber inspection: strand condition, not cracks in metal.

KEY POINTS

  • Bungee cords are many small strands of elastic rubber.
  • They sit between the rigid airframe and the flexing gear assembly.
  • Strand condition must be inspected; some aircraft use donut-type rubber cushions instead.

SOURCES

  • FAA-H-8083-31B ch13 "Bungee Cord"
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MORE ON LANDING GEAR SYSTEMS

SkyDrill is not affiliated with the FAA. This is an original practice item based on FAA-H-8083-31B Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook – Airframe, and 14 CFR part 43. Regulations and handbooks are revised; confirm details against the current edition.