Pilot's tip of the week

When To Put The Landing Gear Down

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Subscriber question:

 "When should you put the gear down on a retractable gear airplane?" - Bob W.

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Bob:

Gear Down“I prefer and have always taught students to extend the landing gear before downwind entry. This slows the aircraft and allows trimming for the gear down condition, as well as allowing a slower speed for purposes of blending with other traffic. I say this assuming a VFR flight.

On an IFR flight, assuming an instrument approach is being performed, it is best to extend the gear at glideslope intercept for a precision approach or at the final approach fix on a non-precision approach. Doing so will help you set up a stabilized approach.”

(NEW) VFR Mastery scenario #95 “Iconic Adventure” is now available. You’re a sport pilot who took a friend for a day of splash and dashing in your Icon A5. After lunch, you met some folks with an XCub on amphibs, and your friend got some stick time with the pilot of that plane, who is also a CFI. Unfortunately, the XCub got stuck on the runway where you were supposed to swap passengers. After some loitering, there’s a plan to move it, but the clock is ticking toward civil twilight—after which you can’t legally fly. Pretty soon you won’t have time to get home. Is there a way to retrieve your friend without excessive risk or busting a reg? Watch the Intro video.

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