The Aircraft Landing Dynamics Facility (ALDF) at NASA Langley Research Center is located in Hampton, VA.

The Facility

• Provides low-cost testing of aircraft wheels, tires, and advanced landing systems
• Evaluates tire hydroplaning phenomena, effectiveness of pavement grooving, and friction and wear characteristics of the Space Shuttle orbiter main- and nose-gear tires
• Defines runway modifications for the John F. Kennedy Space Center Shuttle Landing Facility

Research Conducted

• Measurement of Shuttle Orbiter tire friction
• Assessment of frictional characteristics of radial and H-type aircraft tires for comparison with conventional bias ply tires
• Evaluation of effects of contaminants on tire friction