Dash 8 Main Gear Doors

[Specnut727]

This morning I was SLF on VH-SCE from BNE to GLT at 06:10, the aircraft's first sector for the day.

On the tarmac in BNE I noticed that all 3 main gear doors (each side) were open, and I think they all stayed open until after the gear was retracted.

On approach to GLT the gear was lowered, and the 2 rear doors then closed again.

Can someone please explain why the doors operate differently after the first sector.

Thanks,
Spec.

[speedjet]

The gear doors are cracked open before first flight of the day for the daily inspection. This is done by pulling on the alternate gear release handles. During start, the engine driven hydraulic pump creates pressure and subsequently the gear doors close.