Definition
Telescoping legs in the landing gear that absorb the impact of landing and cushion taxi loads, typically using compressed air or nitrogen above an oil chamber so the gear can compress on touchdown and extend smoothly afterward.
Plain English
The cushioning legs of the landing gear. They squash down a little when the airplane lands and then push back out, so the bumps of landing and taxiing don't slam straight into the airframe.
Context Anchor
You encounter landing gear shock struts during preflight inspection, landing gear discussions, and after any unusually hard landing.
Derivation
Shock' here means a sudden impact, and 'strut' comes from an old word for a rigid supporting rod. Together: a supporting leg designed to absorb impact.
Why Pilots Care
They protect the aircraft structure from damage and provide a smoother ride on landing and during ground operations.
Analogy
They work much like shock absorbers on a car: they do not make the bump disappear, but they reduce how sharply the vehicle feels it.
Grounding Statement
As the wheels touch the runway, the struts shorten under pressure, converting impact energy into heat and controlled motion.
Intuition Check
Shock does not mean an electric shock or surprise here; it means the sudden impact force from landing or ground movement. Strut does not mean a way of walking; it means a supporting part of the landing gear.
Example Sentence 1
During preflight, the pilot checked that each shock strut showed the correct amount of extension and had no visible fluid leaks.
Example Sentence 2
If the shock struts are underinflated, the airplane may experience excessive bouncing after touchdown.