Landing Gear Operating Speed is defined as the maximum speed at which the landing gear can be safely extended or retracted.

• A. The maximum speed at which the landing gear can be safely extended or retracted
• B. The minimum speed to deploy gear
• C. The speed at which gear can operate only on the ground
• D. The maximum landing speed with gear retracted

Answer: (A)

Landing gear operating speed is the maximum indicated airspeed at which you can safely extend or retract the landing gear. This ensures the gear mechanism, doors, and attachment points experience loads within their design limits during deployment or retraction. If you attempt to operate the gear above this speed, aerodynamic forces can prevent full extension or retraction, cause gear doors to jam, or damage the gear system. Therefore, you should slow down to or below this limit before moving the gear. It isn’t the minimum speed to deploy gear, nor a speed that only applies on the ground, nor the maximum landing speed with the gear retracted—those are different limits.