Manual gear question

[N33GG]

I have known many people that have landed gear up, and not one of them just forgot to put the gear down. Nearly all of them were in a landing cinfiguration with gear down, and were interrupted in some way that caused them to initiate a go-around and pull gear up.  For example, ATC direction, or being cut off in traffic pattern by another aircraft.  Then, the problem suddenly clears, and you are again clear to land, such as ATC saying runway now clear, you are clear to land, or other aircraft saying I will go around, you go ahead and land.  Now you are trying to recover into landing configuration from an abnormal situation.  You may be on short final, and not even remember you pulled the gear up.  And then it happens... your first gear up landing.

Yes, I know there is the GUMPF check, gear lights and horns, and all of those can disappear in the heat of the moment.  Trust me, they can all go away as you might be focused on making that landing for a multitude of reasons.  Notice the recurring theme, interruptions and distractions... always waiting to catch you!

For this reason, one of my personal rules that will not be violated (unless I am on fire or something like that which is more serious than landing gear up) is this:

RULE #3141 If I decide to make a go-around, I pull the nose up as I add full climb power, and when I pull the gear handle, I announce "go around" even if I am alone in the cockpit.  From this point, I will not attempt to revert to landing configuration without first going back up to pattern altitude and performing the entire procedure over again.

I have had ATC and instructors unhappy with this rule.  On the other hand, I have never forgotton to put my gear down either.

[DaV8or]

Quote: N6719N

RULE #3141 If I decide to make a go-around, I pull the nose up as I add full climb power, and when I pull the gear handle, I announce "go around" even if I am alone in the cockpit.  From this point, I will not attempt to revert to landing configuration without first going back up to pattern altitude and performing the entire procedure over again.

[jetdriven]

Quote: gmcd

Has anyone noticed that putting the gear DOWN when ready to land can catch the seatbelt latch? I've found myself abeam many times with no seatbelt on becuase of that.... not a good phase of flight to be dealing with seatbealts.

I now have a call out- clear gear.... PAX will then hold their seatbelt over to allow a clear path. Mine still catches.

[jetdriven]

That is an excellent suggestion, and practiced by many.  On a VFR go-around, do not touch the landing gear.  Back in 2002, I was riding in the back of a Continental 737 going to JAX. They did a last-minute VFR go-around, and did not raise the gear.  They circled around really tight and immediately landed.  The funny part was when the entered the Signature FBO ramp and after getting amongst all the Cessna and Piper airplanes, realized it did not extend to the airline terminal. I swear, they locked up one wheel and spun that 737 around in half its wingspan and bugged out of there.

[N33GG]

Quote: DaV8or

Here's an idea. When you go around, leave the gear down. The plane will climb up to pattern altitude easily with the gear down. Mine does anyways.

[M20E-1964]

JETDRIVEN- I want your seats! Those are really nice.

[jetdriven]

AFAIK they are stock 1977 201.  No mention in the logs of ever being redone, but I have a hard time thinking the rag on them is 35 years old with 4700 hours either.

[DrBill]

Lasat week coming back from a PnP flight I had some bad crosswind gusts (all day actually) but coming home I had an extra passenger (1st time in small plane) and ended touching long at my home field, too long for me so I did a go-around.  Left the gear down, circled and landed in the opposite direction.  Gave her a real treat of a smooth landing on the 2nd try.

BILL