Which condition is necessary for landing gear retraction to occur?

Which condition is necessary for landing gear retraction to occur?

• A. AFCS pitch and roll are engaged
• B. The nosewheel is centered
• C. Radar caution light extinguished
• D. Gear lever up and locked

Answer: (B)

The key idea is that gear retraction is gated by proper geometry and door clearance. On this helicopter, the nosewheel must be centered so the wheel and its strut align with the retraction doors and bay as the gear folds. If the nosewheel is off-center, the wheel or associated hardware can foul the door cutouts or binding may occur, preventing a complete retraction. The gear lever being up and locked is the command to start retraction, but centering the nosewheel is the condition that must be met for the system to actually complete the retraction. The other items involve systems or indicators that don’t govern the mechanical retraction sequence.

The key idea is that gear retraction is gated by proper geometry and door clearance. On this helicopter, the nosewheel must be centered so the wheel and its strut align with the retraction doors and bay as the gear folds. If the nosewheel is off-center, the wheel or associated hardware can foul the door cutouts or binding may occur, preventing a complete retraction. The gear lever being up and locked is the command to start retraction, but centering the nosewheel is the condition that must be met for the system to actually complete the retraction. The other items involve systems or indicators that don’t govern the mechanical retraction sequence.