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Vlo = Maximum landing gear operating speed (do not exceed this speed while the landing gear is operaing)

Vle = Maximum landing gear extended speed (do not exceed this speed while the landing gear is extended)

When the landing gear is fully retracted or fully extended it is locked into position and is more resistant to damage from high airspeeds. When the landing gear is in the process of extending or retracting (operating) there is no locking mechanism, and the only thing resisting the airflow is the extension/retraction mechanisms. Additionally, on some aircraft, the landing gear may swing or swivel in odd directions in order to tuck into their recesses, this can cause odd aerodynamic behavoir in the rest of the aircraft if done at high speeds.

Once the landing gear is extended, it is rare that a pilot would then exceed Vlo. Most of the time the landing gear is lowered shortly before landing and the pilot is doing everything he can to slow the aircraft further. However in the event that an aircraft had to be flown a long distance with the landing gear extended (such as a ferry flight to a repair facility) the pilot would go ahead & fly Vle.

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15y ago
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Q: Why is Vlo lower than Vle?
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