Is the landing gear on planes really necessary?

Question

I think they could save so much money and energy if they just didn't put them on and have planes land on giant spongy mats instead...

Answer 1

.and what about bending the propeller.......Spongy material too??

Answer 2

Good idea, and also they could also save money by getting rid of the wings, the lift being instead provided by helium balloons. Come to think of it are engines really necessary? Surely some kind of sail arrangement would suffice?

Answer 3

your gonna need a crane and a pulley system to move the planes about.

While we're at it can lorries have large helium bags in the back so they are all a lot lighter. Less fuel then needed to move goods around the country.

Less fuel=more green=one saved planet

I should get ten points for saving the world.

Answer 4

Nay, it's only there for looks, believe me, fly on a plane without it!

Answer 5

how stupid are you? hows the plane going to get to the take off site also how else will the plane stay level as its taking off? that is the worst idea Ive ever heard...no offense

Answer 6

Your a F- ING Idiot.. go to school.

Answer 7

Which one of us is drunk? I threw my bong, papers and pipe out 15 years ago when I was seriously getting into aviation, so I know that's not the problem on my end.

Answer 8

Landing gear on planes is mostly for looks, sponges certainly would be cheaper and would keep the runways dry.

Answer 9

Sorry james but it's been tried already; they used to call them Flying Boats.

Answer 10

that's a dumb idea

Answer 11

and how much will it cost to have runways made of ice?? especially in hot countries like hawaii.

I think your idea is great. Very logical. i wish you the best of luck with it and will look forward to a bouncy landing on my next trip :P

Answer 12

I like your "Out-of-the-box" thinking!

Boeing's phone number is..........

Answer 13

yeah you are joking here how can aircraft run through the ground without gears??

Answer 14

Yeah spongy mats!!!

And we can make the highways like that too!!!

Your a genius!!!

Answer 15

since most already answered it logically. perhaps the FAA will tell you it's part of their questionnaire during A&P exams.

Answer 16

I guess not..just like wheels on your car aren't really necessary!!

Answer 17

That's a good idea, lol.

I guess you answered your own question.

Answer 18

TO be honest, that is the dumbest theory I have ever heard.  Your theory of them taking off on ice and landing on giant spongy mats would make it much worse.  When they would touch down the effect would not be much different than a plane landing on a runway without landing gear.  It would be much bumbier, not good leverage/balance, and it would most likely put holes in the plane's fuselauge.

Answer 19

You realize what would happen if plains laned on giant sponges?  They would stop instantly.  What happens in your car if your going 150 mph and you come to a complete and sudden stop?  It hurts.  Bad.  Plains land at around 150 mph.  If they landed on a giant sponge, they would stop instantly, and the G forces would kill everyone on the plane.  The wheels do more than just roll.  They allow the plain to come to a controlled, slow decelleration.

Answer 20

haha interesting theory you have there...

Could we do the same things for cars?

Like airbags on the outside?!

I assume you are joking though hehe

Answer 21

Conservation of momentum laws - you'll need one h**l of a sponge.

Answer 22

too many people have obviously too much time on their hands to pollute the internet with these kind of useless c**p...oh boy

Answer 23

Lovely I like it and obviously we would need ice to take off genius!! xx

Answer 24

How about cutting holes in the bottom and the passengers putting their legs through wearing roller skates. That will save money too.  I think I am on the same as you !!!

Happy landing.

Answer 25

It's been tried and it doesn't work.  In the late forties, the Royal navy successfully carried out the world's first landing of a jet aircraft on an aircraft carrier.  The plane was stripped of its undercarriage and a rubberized deck was installed.  The plane landed OK but it was realized that external stores could not be carried and the airframe took an unacceptable battering.

So there!

Answer 26

Wow, I dont think they would many passengers.

How about if they took the landing gear off a 747 and fitted it out with 4 parachutes.

Answer 27

It stops the bottom of the plane wearing out and the passengers luggage falling out!

Answer 28

I should say yes, it is!

Answer 29

Your brain is a spongy mat.

Answer 30

are you kidding?

Answer 31

I dont what you have been taking to come up with this idea, but I dont think it is doing you much good. Go and have a lie down.