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AEC-169-380098-1 – AECI FAA-PMA Shock Absorber
Available now on the Airparts.aero Marketplace.
The AEC-169-380098-1 is a high-precision, FAA-PMA certified shock absorber assembly engineered by Aero Engineering & Components (AECI) as a direct replacement for OEM landing gear damping components. In the rigorous environment of takeoff and landing cycles, the shock absorber is the primary structural element responsible for the dissipation of vertical kinetic energy. This unit is designed to provide a "tuned" damping response, protecting the airframe from the high-load transients associated with hard landings and taxiing operations on uneven surfaces.
Specifically engineered for the nose or main gear assemblies of high-performance general aviation aircraft, the AEC-169-380098-1 utilizes an advanced oleo-pneumatic architecture. By combining the compressibility of nitrogen gas with the incompressibility of hydraulic fluid, it provides a dual-stage response: soft initial damping for taxi comfort and high-resistance energy absorption for landing impacts. As an FAA-PMA component, it undergoes stringent quality control and testing to ensure it meets or exceeds the original manufacturer's fatigue life and performance envelopes.
Key Features
FAA-PMA Certified: Fully approved as a direct replacement for Textron Aviation (Cessna/Beechcraft) part number 380098-1, ensuring legal compliance and structural equivalence.
Oleo-Pneumatic Damping: Utilizes the interaction of high-pressure nitrogen and MIL-PRF-5606 hydraulic fluid to provide superior energy dissipation compared to spring-steel or rubber-disc systems.
Precision Machined Piston: Manufactured from high-tensile alloy steel with a hard-chrome finish to ensure a low-friction interface and maximum wear resistance against the strut seals.
High-Integrity Sealing System: Features a multi-stage seal stack designed to maintain pressure integrity across extreme temperature fluctuations and high-frequency oscillations.
Corrosion-Resistant Housing: The external cylinder is treated with aerospace-grade primers and topcoats to resist environmental degradation and hydraulic fluid exposure.
Technical Specifications
Part Number: AEC-169-380098-1
Component Type: Oleo-Pneumatic Shock Absorber / Strut Assembly
Manufacturer: Aero Engineering & Components (AECI)
OEM Equivalent: Textron Aviation / Beechcraft 380098-1
Material: 4130/4340 Alloy Steel (Heat Treated)
Internal Fluid: MIL-PRF-5606 / MIL-H-5606 (Mineral-based hydraulic fluid)
Charge Gas: Dry Nitrogen (per MIL-PRF-27401)
Finish: Cadmium Plate or Hard Chrome (Internal Piston) / Epoxy Enamel (External)
Certification: FAA-PMA (Parts Manufacturer Approval)
Aircraft Compatibility
Beechcraft King Air Series: Common application for the 90, 100, and 200 series nose or main gear assemblies (Model dependent).
Beechcraft Baron / Bonanza: Utilized in specific high-gross-weight or heavy-duty landing gear configurations.
Note: The aircraft’s Illustrated Parts Catalog (IPC) or the specific AECI PMA supplement is the final authority for confirming the AEC-169-380098-1's compatibility with your specific airframe and serial number.
Applications
The AEC-169-380098-1 is utilized within the Landing Gear System (ATA 32). Its primary role is to serve as the structural damping interface between the wheel assembly and the airframe. During landing, the piston forces hydraulic fluid through a metered orifice, converting kinetic energy into thermal energy, while the compressed nitrogen acts as a variable-rate spring to return the gear to its extended position.
Why Choose AEC-169-380098-1?
Choosing the AEC-169-380098-1 ensures that your aircraft maintains its original landing characteristics and structural safety margins at a competitive price point. Unlike "repacked" or "re-chromed" salvaged units, AECI’s new-production PMA parts are manufactured to modern tolerances, reducing the risk of "bottoming out" or seal failure. For operators, this means improved passenger comfort, reduced stress on the wing spar and engine mounts, and the peace of mind that comes with a certified, factory-new damping component.
The AEC-169-380098-1 is a masterpiece of fluid power dynamics and materials science, specifically designed to manage dynamic vertical loading. The unit functions as a viscous damper where the damping force is proportional to the square of the piston velocity. This is achieved through a precision-ground metering pin or orifice plate that regulates fluid flow during the compression stroke. From a metallurgical perspective, the cylinder is often precipitation-strengthened to withstand the high hoop stresses generated during a limit-load landing. The internal "air-oil" interface relies on the Polytropic Compression of nitrogen, which provides a non-linear spring rate—effectively becoming stiffer as the strut compresses. This prevents structural damage during high-sink-rate touchdowns by ensuring the energy is dissipated through laminar flow turbulence rather than being transferred as an impulse load to the airframe's primary structural nodes.
Note: This is a flight-critical, structural component. Installation and servicing must be performed by a certified A&P mechanic. The shock absorber must be serviced with the correct volume of hydraulic fluid and pressurized with dry nitrogen only, in accordance with the Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM). Improper inflation can lead to a "collapsed strut" or catastrophic structural failure during landing. Always inspect the piston for pits or scratches that could compromise the seal integrity.
