Subscriber question:
"When should you put the gear down on a retractable gear airplane?" - Bob W.
Bob:
“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.”
