Gear Lowered on A319

[DeeCee]

Can any of you pro guys assist with this? recently I was a passenger on an Airbus 319 out of LGW. A few minutes into the flight when we were straight and level, the crew lowered the gear. It stayed down for over 5 minutes and the captain later explained that it was to cool the brakes - but after takeoff? Any thoughts?

[catchup]

It happens some times. Mostly false warnings of hot brakes.

regards

[Rainboe]

Not unusual. Several short flights can lead to a build up of heat. Even a take-off causes increases in heat energy. Add on a previous flight, short turnaround, still, hot day, and the ingredients are there. Often, retracting the gear can be delayed a few minutes to help cool it down after take-off.

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

Nothing at all unusual.. It was me who, many years ago at Heathrow, told an Air France Airbus crew that they had their wheels down longer than usual. They replied: "Affirm, we use them for take-off".

[DeeCee]

Thanks chaps. It caused a bit of consternation in the cabin at the time.