aaa0808,
"I agree that extension can be done by gravity alone as well and is done during non-normal conditions.
But that doesnt give us any control over the movement of the gear and might lead to its free fall, suddenly increasing drag and even damaging the mechanical structure"
Does'nt matter if the gear is extended by hydraulics or freefall, it still creates the same amount of drag. But possible structural damage will occur if the gear is extended (wether by hydraulics or freefall) in a gear OVERSPEED condition.
McHale.
