A Step-by-Step Guide to Landing Gear Servicing in the Hangar

Landing gear servicing is one of those hangar tasks where good preparation matters as much as technical skill. The work often involves heavy components, tight clearances, and safety critical systems that support every takeoff and landing. A reliable process helps your team move efficiently while reducing the chance of missed steps, equipment damage, or unnecessary rework. The goal of this guide is to outline a practical, repeatable approach you can adapt to your aircraft type and maintenance program, keeping the tone straightforward and the steps clear.

Prepare The Hangar and Gather the Right Support Equipment

Before you touch the aircraft, set up the workspace so the job can proceed without interruptions. Clear the area around the landing gear, mark any no-go zones, and ensure lighting is adequate for inspections and leak checks. Plan for where removed components, tools, and drip trays will go so you do not create trip hazards mid task.

Next, confirm you have the right ground support equipment for the aircraft and the lift points involved. Aircraft jacks are designed to safely lift specific parts of an aircraft to provide access for inspections, maintenance, and repairs, and they come in different types and capacities for different aircraft models. If you are working on a larger airframe or a specific lifting configuration, you may also need specialized options such as axle jacks, tripod jacks, and tail stands, which are commonly grouped alongside jack pads and related accessories in aviation GSE categories. 

Finally, review the maintenance documentation for your aircraft and the job card requirements. Confirm any consumables and replacement parts are on hand, such as seals, O rings, lubricants, and safety wire. The best troubleshooting is the kind you avoid by confirming fit, quantity, and compatibility before the aircraft is on jacks.

Stabilize The Aircraft and Set Safety Controls

With the hangar prepared, focus on aircraft stability and risk control. Chock the wheels as required, verify the parking brake configuration recommended for the task, and establish clear communication between the technician controlling the lift and the technician observing the aircraft. If you are using powered doors, moving stands, or lifting equipment, assign one person to call out clear “stop” commands if anything shifts or binds.

Tail support is especially important on many aircraft during landing gear servicing, because weight distribution can change as you raise the airframe or remove components. Tail stands are commonly used with jacks to support the tail section, helping prevent stress on the airframe and reducing the risk of tipping during servicing. Even when the aircraft seems stable at rest, lifting changes the forces involved, so treat stability as a continuous check, not a one-time step. 

As a final safety measure, confirm you have the correct protective equipment and that everyone understands pinch points around the gear, doors, and actuators. A calm, controlled pace is a quality tool in itself.

Lift The Aircraft Correctly and Protect Jack Points

Lifting is where a careful, stepwise approach pays off. Position the jacks at the designated lift points and confirm alignment before applying load. Raise the aircraft gradually, pausing to confirm the airframe remains stable and the jacks stay centered. Small adjustments early prevent large problems later.

This is also the moment to protect the airframe at the contact points. To provide added stability during lifting, aircraft jack pads are used to protect designated jack points and help ensure secure, damage free contact with the airframe. In practice, that means verifying the pad or adapter matches the lift point geometry, seats fully, and does not introduce side load. If you see any shifting, stop and correct it rather than trying to “walk” the aircraft into position under load. 

Once the aircraft is at the required height, confirm the setup is stable before beginning servicing. If your procedure calls for additional supports, install them now and verify there is no unexpected movement. Stability checks should happen at every major stage, including after raising, after removing panels, and after any significant component removal.

Service The Landing Gear Methodically

With the aircraft safely supported, move into the servicing work with a consistent sequence. Start by inspecting the gear area for obvious signs of wear, hydraulic residue, loose hardware, damaged wiring, or chafing. A quick baseline inspection helps you spot changes after maintenance and prevents you from overlooking an existing issue.

From there, follow the task card for the specific service activity. This may include checking tire condition, verifying strut extension and servicing pressure, inspecting torque links, cleaning and lubricating designated points, and examining seals and fittings. If you are servicing brakes or wheel assemblies, keep parts organized so left and right components do not get mixed, and protect lines and connectors from contamination.

As you work, build in small quality checks. For example, after cleaning an area, re inspect it under good lighting. After lubrication, confirm you used the correct product and that fittings were not over serviced. If any component is removed, tag it clearly and record why. Consistency reduces the chance of missed steps and makes it easier for another technician to verify the work.

Lower The Aircraft and Complete Post Service Checks

When servicing is complete, prepare for lowering with the same care you used during the lift. Ensure tools, stands, and removed items are clear of the gear area. Confirm all panels and components required for safe lowering are installed and secured, and verify that no lines or cables are positioned where they could snag.

Lower the aircraft slowly, pausing if anything shifts. Once the aircraft is back on its wheels, remove supports in the correct sequence and complete any final checks required by your procedure. This is also the right time to clean up hydraulic residue, remove protective coverings, and return the hangar space to a safe condition for the next task.

Finish with documentation that supports traceability. Record what was serviced, what was inspected, and any measurements or observations required by your maintenance program. Good records are not just administrative, they help teams spot trends and plan future work more effectively.

Conclusion

A safe, efficient landing gear servicing process depends on preparation, controlled lifting practices, and a consistent inspection and servicing routine. When the hangar is organized, the aircraft is stabilized, and each step is performed methodically, teams can reduce downtime and improve the reliability of every post maintenance release. Over time, a repeatable approach also strengthens training, improves quality, and helps your operation maintain a steady standard across different technicians and aircraft types.