A landing gear system includes a shock strut assembly and a linkage member
coupled to an aircraft. Preferably, the shock strut assembly and linkage
member are oriented or angled relative to one another in a non-parallel
relationship. Actuation of the linkage member moves the shock strut from
a de-hiked to a hiked configuration or vice-versa. In addition, the
orientation of the linkage member relative to the shock strut assembly
permits it to automatically move the shock strut assembly to the de-hiked
position during retraction of the landing gear system and prevents the
shock strut assembly from exceeding a desired length during retraction.
The linkage member may take the form of a hydraulic actuator having a
lower end portion coupled to an inner cylinder of the shock strut
assembly and an upper end portion coupled to the aircraft aft of where
the shock strut assembly is coupled to the aircraft.