What is VLE?

• A. The max landing gear retraction speed.
• B. The speed to extend gear.
• C. The minimum landing gear speed.
• D. Landing gear extended speed: maximum speed with gear extended.

Answer: (D)

VLE is the maximum airspeed at which you may fly with the landing gear extended. This limit exists because with the gear down the airplane experiences more drag and altered aerodynamics, so exceeding this speed can put extra stress on the gear, doors, and related structures or systems. Staying at or below VLE helps prevent gear-related damage while flying with the gear down.

The other concepts are related but describe different limits. The speed to extend the gear (the gear-extension limit) is a separate, lower speed limit governing when the gear can be safely put into the down position. There isn’t a standard “minimum gear speed” used in this context.