Paper Tiger,
There is no procedure in any of the 18 commercial airliner types which we operate which allows the crew to leave the gear down after takeoff for drag reduction.
The dunlops are retracted by the end of the runway, drag therefore isnt a factor. However if for any reason you care to leave them down, the performance decrement associated with the increased drag must be accounted for. This usually takes the form of a weight reduction and would therefore nullify your argument regarding "minimal" takeoffs!
I could however find you procedures and brake cooling charts which relate to leaving the gear down for brake cooling!
Which would you rather believe?
Mutt
[This message has been edited by mutt (edited 29 June 2001).]