What is the significance of Vle and Vlo in relation to landing gear?

• A. Vle is maximum speed with gear extended; Vlo is maximum speed for extending gear safely; both protect against gear failure.
• B. Vle is maximum speed for retracting gear.
• C. Vlo is maximum speed for extending gear safely; Vle has no relation to gear safety.
• D. Vle and Vlo are speeds unrelated to gear safety.

Answer: (B)

Vle and Vlo define safe operating limits for the landing gear. Vlo is the maximum speed at which you may operate the landing gear—extend or retract—without risking gear damage. Vle is the maximum speed you can fly with the landing gear extended. Because gear down creates extra drag and places different loads on the structure, you must not operate the gear above Vlo, and once the gear is down you should not exceed Vle.

In practice, Vlo is lower than Vle. For example, a light aircraft might have Vlo around 140 knots and Vle around 156 knots. That means you should extend or retract the gear only below or at Vlo, and you can fly with the gear down up to Vle. The choice that aligns with these definitions indicates Vle as the speed with the gear extended and Vlo as the gear-operating speed, both safeguarding the gear from failure.