Pilot's tip of the week

When to Raise the Gear?

Subscriber question:

"I've flown with two different instructors in my Piper Arrow. One says to retract the landing gear as soon as a positive rate of climb is established. The other says to retract the gear once I'm out of usable runway. Which is the better technique?" —Dean R.

When do you raise the landing gear?

(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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