Abstract: An airplane gear leg that is strong, stiff, and capable of storing large amounts of energy and formed of a composite material that has first and second fiber materials. The first fiber material is very strong and flexible, allowing it to store a great deal of energy in a hard landing, and its fibers are oriented essentially parallel to the axis of the gear leg. The second fiber material is very stiff, providing the torsional rigidity necessary to avoid flutter, and its stiff fibers are laid at a large angle relative to the axis of the gear leg so their elastic limit is not exceeded during a hard landing.