Hydraulic Positioning Actuators for Aircraft

Moving and Locking with Precision, Without Margin for Error

Many critical aircraft systems—from landing gear to engine doors and valves—depend on hydraulic actuators capable of moving to an exact position and remaining securely locked in place. RBC Bearings manufactures two-position hydraulic actuators as part of its aerospace product portfolio, featuring either automatic or manual mechanical locking. These actuators incorporate both lock sensing and position sensing systems, allowing the aircraft's electronic systems to verify that the component has reached the correct position and is securely locked. This capability is critical whether the actuator is operating landing gear, an engine access door, or another flight-critical mechanism. The actuators are controlled through flow and directional control valves, available with either solenoid or manual actuation, depending on whether the application requires automatic operation or direct pilot control. These actuators are part of RBC's broader aerospace solutions portfolio, which also includes spherical bearings, rod ends, specialized fasteners, and precision-machined components. Together, these products are designed for systems where positioning errors are unacceptable, particularly in landing gear and flight control applications. At BIOSA, we encounter similar requirements in industrial hydraulic actuators and positioning systems used in presses and automated assembly equipment, where verifying that a component has reached its final position is essential to preventing costly production errors. These actuators complement other hydraulic solutions documented by RBC for aerospace applications, including hydraulic valves, flow control valves, shafts, splined rings, and gears—all of which work together within an aircraft's propulsion systems, aerostructures, and flight control systems.