The piston pump is the key power component in the civil aircraft hydraulic system, and the most common pump used in the aviation field is the pressure compensated variable displacement type. In this review paper, a basic introduction to the civil aircraft piston pump is presented, including the classification, structure, working principle, design features, and achievements by some research groups. Then, the future directions of the aircraft pump are reported from various perspectives. Further, the critical technologies are analyzed and summarized in detail from six thrust areas: friction couples, noise reduction, inlet boost, thermal management, fault diagnosis and health management, and mechanical seal. 

In the hydraulic system of civil aircraft, the piston pump is one of the most critical power components.1 The pumps convert mechanical energy into hydraulic energy, supplying power to the actuators to fulfill the flight posture adjustment, and retraction and extension of the landing gear and braking. Due to their compact and simple design, swash plate type axial piston pumps are widely used in the aviation field, and they are capable of working at extremely high pressures and speed while maintaining high overall efficiency.