Gear Down

[bertengineer]

What are the 4 ways to verify that the gear is down? I think I have a handle on a few.
1. 3 green lights
2. Unsafe gear indication would be lit if not down
3. Warning horn associated with flaps
4. Look at gear handle

5. Ask tower to verify?

any thoughts?

 

[Crizz]

"3 green and one in the mirror"

That should cover it.

 

[vclean]

- Wind noise
- Performance
- Unmistakable metallic scrapping sound upon contact.

Green lights and the disagreement or unsafe light are about the only way to verify the gear is down and locked on most GA aircraft. On some aircraft the hydraulic pump or electric motor may continue to operate until the gear is locked down.

 

[flyer172r]

It depends on what kind of airplane you're flying. Some have 3 gear lights, others have 1. In Cessna RGs you can look out the window and see if the gear's down. A Beech Debonair I flew had mirrors on each wingtip to see the mains. So really it depends on the airplane.

 

[FracCapt]

What are the 4 ways to verify that the gear is down? I think I have a handle on a few.
1. 3 green lights
2. Unsafe gear indication would be lit if not down
3. Warning horn associated with flaps
4. Look at gear handle

5. Ask tower to verify?

any thoughts?

Asking the tower to verify is not a valid way to verify the gear is down and locked. The ONLY ways to be sure the gear is down and locked are the ones set forth by the manufacturer for that specific system. All transport category have redundant gear indication systems - primaries and backups. The backups can be anything from additional lights that are triggered by a different set of switches on the gear to ensure that it's down and locked(in case the main system fails to indicate such) to little windows in the top of wings that show a solid line( --- ) when the gear is down and locked, and a broken line( -_- ) when it is not. I've only seen those on a couple of old corporate jets, though.

 

[Uncle Sparky]

On some aircraft.....

>brake pressure

>if there is a landing light associated with the gear(at night of course!) landing light illumination on the runway during a low approach

>is there an eng. sync incorporated into the downlock switch?

>any OTHER items that may use the gear cycle as part of their system sequence(panel clocks/timers, anti-skid etc.)

 

[Uncle Sparky]

3. Warning horn associated with flaps

it's a given and I know you meant it when you stated Item#3....... but throttle position and the associated horn, or lack of.......if the gear has NOT extended..........

 

[nosehair]

...and finally!!...the one true way of confirming is the barely audible sound of rubber swishing on pavement at the latter end of the landing flare...!

 

[pilotmyf]

The only sure way to know your gear is down and locked is to land. If metal is scraping, gear wasn't down and locked. If not, good job!!!

 

[avbug]

The answer is aircraft specific, though changes in sound, lights, handle position, switch position, mirrors, physical handling changes, aircraft feel, airspeed, visual indicators, etc, all are used. The specifics depend upon the aircraft in question.

One very good indicator that you've forgotten the gear, however, is the excessive power to taxi that is required after landing.

 

[PHX767]

another way...

In transport airplanes is to select landing flaps. The gear horn has to be "non cancellable" (sp?) with the flaps in the landing range and gear not down and locked.

One REALLY annoying IP we had on the old steamjet would call for a flap selection that was in the landing range (40 or 50, if I remember correctly) and then put the gear lever down. When the horn (finally) quit, the gear was safe. Do a few patterns with this guy and you were ready to bash him with the big red handle!

 

[bertengineer]

Gear

I guess my question should have really been "What are the 4 ways to tell if the gear is up?

Thanks for all of the other info. The threads are interesting

 

[Crosswind79]

You know you've landed gear up if you need full power to taxi clear of the active...

 

[Lead Sled]

One very good indicator that you've forgotten the gear, however, is the excessive power to taxi that is required after landing.

However, this indicator is only reliable in jets or in high-wing propeller twins (excluding Skymasters).

'Sled

 

[avbug]

Naw, it works in just about anything. For propeller driven equipment, a good indication is that it takes a lot more power, and the engine will reach a higher RPM if it's still turnable...they do that without the prop.

The main purpose of belly skins, gear doors, and underwing assemblies is to alert an aircrew that they have landed without the gear. A secondary value is the ability to throw sparks without need of a separate ignition source, in order to make the airplane acceptably damaged for insurance purposes.

How do you know the gear is up? The question has been answered. It depends on the airplane.

 

[skydraulic]

I might agree with ya on the main purpose but, sparks and aluminum??....think it's time for nighty-nite...hehe

 

[Lead Sled]

Naw, it works in just about anything. For propeller driven equipment, a good indication is that it takes a lot more power, and the engine will reach a higher RPM if it's still turnable...

Now that makes perfect sense. I've always wondered about that. Infact... Hey that was it - my final question! Now, I know everything!!!

How do you know the gear is up? The question has been answered. It depends on the airplane.

Guys, that is the ONLY correct answer on this entire thread. To get more specific, you'll have to refer to a current copy of the aircraft POH or AFM.

'Sled

 

[Dr Pokenhiemer]

I was flying a C-210 and the gear retracted enough to be out of my view but the airspeed was like that of a C-172. That was a good indication that the gear did not come all the way up.