What is a gear retraction cycle test and what would indicate a deficiency?

• A. A visual check of gear doors.
• B. A functional check cycling gear through full extension and retraction; deficiency may be improper timing, mechanical interference, or failure to reach down/lock.
• C. A check of hydraulic fluid level.
• D. A test of door seals.

Answer: (B)

The thing being tested is the gear system’s ability to move through its full travel in a controlled, repeatable cycle. A gear retraction cycle test runs the gear from extended to retracted and back, verifying that the actuation sequence works properly, the gear reaches the down and locked position when extended, and that retraction occurs cleanly without binding. This kind of test checks not just that the gear doors look right, but that the actual movement, timing, and engagement of the gear are correct.

If something is off, you’d expect to see deficiencies like improper timing (the gear moves too fast or too slow, or the sequence isn’t correct), mechanical interference (parts rubbing or sticking during travel), or failure to reach the down position and lock (the gear doesn’t fully extend or fails to lock). These signs point to issues in the gear actuators, control logic, linkages, or surrounding hardware that would compromise safe extension and retraction.