What does Vle indicate in terms of landing gear operation?

What does Vle indicate in terms of landing gear operation?

• A. Vle is maximum speed for retracting gear.
• B. Vle is maximum speed with gear extended.
• C. Vlo is maximum speed for extending gear safely.
• D. Vle is minimum speed with gear extended.

Answer: (B)

V_LE is the maximum airspeed you may have with the landing gear extended and locked. Keeping the gear down within this limit prevents excessive aerodynamic loads on the gear, doors, and supporting structure that could cause damage or failure. The gear extension/retraction limit is a different speed (often called V_LO), so the other statements don’t describe V_LE. In short, V_LE sets the upper speed bound for flight with the gear down.

V_LE is the maximum airspeed you may have with the landing gear extended and locked. Keeping the gear down within this limit prevents excessive aerodynamic loads on the gear, doors, and supporting structure that could cause damage or failure. The gear extension/retraction limit is a different speed (often called V_LO), so the other statements don’t describe V_LE. In short, V_LE sets the upper speed bound for flight with the gear down.