What is the primary purpose of a gear retraction cycle test?

• A. To check the color of gear paint.
• B. To verify wing alignment.
• C. To cycle gear through full extension and retraction and verify timing and lock.
• D. To test cabin pressurization.

Answer: (C)

The primary purpose of a gear retraction cycle test is to exercise the landing gear system through a full extension and retraction, confirming that the mechanism moves correctly and can lock in both positions. It ensures the actuators travel the proper distances, the gear doors and locking devices operate in the correct sequence, and that the gear truly locks when deployed or retracted. Timing is key—this test checks that the gear reaches full extension before locking and that retraction timing allows clearances for doors and structure, preventing a stalled or unsafe position in flight. It also helps identify hydraulic issues, mechanical binding, or interference that could prevent a safe gear cycle. Cosmetic checks like paint color, wing alignment, or cabin pressurization checks do not address these functional aspects of the landing gear system.