ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Oleo strut

An oleo strut is a special type of shock absorber used in things that move a lot like airplanes and helicopters. It's made up of a long tube with oil inside and a piston that moves up and down to absorb shocks. Imagine a long straw filled with syrup, and there's a little plunger inside that moves up and down when you turn it upside-down. That's kind of how an oleo strut works.

When an airplane lands, the oleo strut compresses to absorb the impact of the landing like a big spring. Then when the airplane takes off again, the oleo strut pushes back out to its original shape to provide a smooth takeoff. This helps keep the airplane from bouncing up and down and makes the ride more comfortable for the people inside.

In summary, an oleo strut is a part of an airplane or helicopter that helps absorb shocks and vibrations when taking off or landing to make the ride smoother and more comfortable. It's kind of like a long straw filled with syrup that has a plunger inside that moves up and down.
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