Abstract: An aircraft undercarriage assembly (10) has an undercarriage truck (15) where the pair of rear wheels (25) are mounted on a rear support member (20) pivotally movable relative to the front support member (16) when the aircraft is taxiing to provide a steering effect, but lockable in alignment with the front wheel pair (24) during flight. Each pair of wheels (24, 25) has one wheel (37) connected to the respective axle (22, 23) the wheel (37) having turbine-like spokes (39) which receive air directed by a vental airscoop (45) to spin the wheel (37) upto speed. A clutch assembly (55) then operatively connects the second wheel (49) to the respective axle (22, 23) to enable that wheel (49) to spin upto speed. The wheels (37, 49) are independently braked by respective brake disc/friction disc pairs (61, 64, 68, 70) engaged by brake pistons (67, 71) on the respective axle housing (17, 21).

Abstract: An aircraft landing wheel rotating means has an airscoop (21) mounted on the undercarriage unit (10) between a pair of landing wheels (16) fitted with tires (14). A wheel outlet (25) in each side of the airscoop (21) directs the airflow over turbine blades (20) formed integrally with the landing wheels (16) as spokes interconnecting the rims to the wheel hubs (15) (which incorporate disc breaking systems). The airscoop (21) has a rearward venting outlet (24) which is selectively closed by hinged doors (29) and/or flaps (34) to direct the airflow to the turbine blades (20) or opened to allow a portion of the airflow to bypass the turbine blades (20) and so reduce the drag produced by the airscoop as the undercarriage unit (10) is lowered prior to landing or on take-off.