A method of operating an aircraft, the aircraft having a first maximum landing weight based upon a first maximum descent velocity, which first maximum descent velocity is determined by a Regulatory Authority, wherein the aircraft has landing gear, each landing gear comprising a telescopic strut which is capable of extension and compression, the landing gear strut comprising a hull portion, which remains fixed to a hull of the aircraft when the landing gear is deployed for landing, and a tire portion, which is capable of moving at a different velocity, with respect to the hull portion, the method comprising the steps of: obtaining vertical velocities of the aircraft at initial contact of the aircraft with the ground during landing events; based upon the obtained vertical velocities of the aircraft at initial contact with the ground, operating the aircraft at or below a second maximum descent velocity while measuring and recording the vertical velocities of the aircraft at initial contact of the aircraft with the ground during subsequent landing events, the second maximum descent velocity being less than the first maximum descent velocity; and operating the aircraft at a second maximum landing weight based upon the second maximum descent velocity, characterized in that the step of measuring vertical velocities of the aircraft at initial contact of the aircraft with the ground during landing events further comprises the steps of: a) providing a first accelerometer on the hull portion of the strut; b) providing a second accelerometer on the tire portion of the strut; c) measuring the acceleration of the hull portion with the first accelerometer as the aircraft lands; d) measuring the acceleration of the tire portion with the second accelerometer as the aircraft lands; e) comparing the acceleration of the hull portion with the acceleration of the tire portion; f) determining the descent velocity of the hull portion of the strut, at initial contact with the ground. obtaining vertical velocities of the aircraft at initial contact of the aircraft with the ground during landing events; based upon the obtained vertical velocities of the aircraft at initial contact with the ground, operating the aircraft at or below a second maximum descent velocity while measuring and recording the vertical velocities of the aircraft at initial contact of the aircraft with the ground during subsequent landing events, the second maximum descent velocity being less than the first maximum descent velocity; and operating the aircraft at a second maximum landing weight based upon the second maximum descent velocity, characterized in that the step of measuring vertical velocities of the aircraft at initial contact of the aircraft with the ground during landing events further comprises the steps of: a) providing a first accelerometer on the hull portion of the strut; b) providing a second accelerometer on the tire portion of the strut; c) measuring the acceleration of the hull portion with the first accelerometer as the aircraft lands; d) measuring the acceleration of the tire portion with the second accelerometer as the aircraft lands; e) comparing the acceleration of the hull portion with the acceleration of the tire portion; f) determining the descent velocity of the hull portion of the strut, at initial contact with the ground. a) providing a first accelerometer on the hull portion of the strut; b) providing a second accelerometer on the tire portion of the strut; c) measuring the acceleration of the hull portion with the first accelerometer as the aircraft lands; d) measuring the acceleration of the tire portion with the second accelerometer as the aircraft lands; e) comparing the acceleration of the hull portion with the acceleration of the tire portion; f) determining the descent velocity of the hull portion of the strut, at initial contact with the ground.