Landing Gear Shock Strut Servicing
How to fill your airplane shock struts with hydraulic fluid and nitrogen
Watch PromoYour Instructor
I'm a podcasting airplane mechanic who loves both planes and people. I've been working at Classic Aviation, LLC in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia for the past 25 years.
Here are some things I've learned to love about airplane maintenance:
- Annual inspections.
- Working with airplane owners.
- Retractable landing gear, both inspecting and rigging.
- Basic electrical troubleshooting.
- Magnetos and ignition systems.
- Ground runups and troubleshooting.
- Out-of-the-ordinary situations.
- Excellent safety wiring!
- Servicing landing gear shock struts.
In November of 2015, I launched the Airplane Owner Maintenance Podcast, and the best part has been meeting fascinating airplane owners.
I love to learn, and I love teaching strategic maintenance content to airplane owners. Whether you are new to aviation, or a seasoned aviator, I am interested in your further development and learning!
If you're ready to take your safety wiring skills to a whole new level, or to learn how to service your landing gear shock struts, I would be honored to be your instructor.
Jump in one of my training courses, and let's get started!
Course Curriculum
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StartVideo #1: Cessna 172 Nose Gear Shock Strut (1:04)
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StartVideo #2: Looking Inside the Top Cowling (0:50)
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StartVideo #3: Shock Strut Description (3:09)
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PreviewVideo #4: An Indicator Your Strut Needs Fluid (1:55)
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StartVideo #5: Locating the Servicing Valve (1:49)
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StartVideo #6: Checking and Adding Hydraulic Fluid (9:01)
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StartVideo #7: How to Use A Nitrogen Bottle Safely (5:11)
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StartVideo #8: Installing the Valve Core (0:33)
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StartVideo #9: Adding Nitrogen to the Strut (3:15)
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StartVideo #10: Setting Strut Extension Level (3:27)
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StartBeware of Flat Struts (2:49)
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StartOverextension Makes Hard Steering (0:56)
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StartKeep Chrome Shafts Clean (0:49)
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StartValve Core Tool and Pressure Gauge (1:59)
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StartStrut Levels and Squat Switches (1:55)
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StartDetals About Nitrogen Bottle Gauges and Adapter Fittings (3:45)
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StartAdding Nitrogen to a Piper Main Strut Without Jacking the Aircraft (1:56)
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StartHow NOT TO Service a Shock Strut with Air (1:22)
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StartWATCH THIS Before Resealing Your Shock Strut! (1:21)
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StartWhere to Find Strut Servicing Procedures and Levels (1:17)
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StartHow to Determine WHERE a Strut is Leaking (1:35)