What term describes the component that includes the wheels and supports them on an aircraft?

• A. Powerplant
• B. Landing gear
• C. Cowling
• D. Firewall

Answer: (B)

The part described is landing gear. It’s the assembly that carries the aircraft’s weight on the ground and provides support for the wheels during taxiing, takeoff, and landing. Landing gear includes the wheels and tires, struts or oleo shocks to absorb loads, brakes, and the mechanisms that retract or extend the gear. It may be arranged as the main gear and a nose or tail gear, depending on the aircraft’s design, and can be fixed or retractable to reduce drag in flight.

The other terms don’t fit this description: the powerplant is the propulsion system that provides thrust; cowling is the engine’s covering; and the firewall is a barrier between the engine compartment and the cabin.