A bit technical for me.......

[ORTAC22]

As a now-retired (non aircrew) civil aviation worker,please may I ask two questions ? Q1 Watching flight-deck vids, I notice that on some a/c the Gear lever, after being selected to UP is then moved down to a"mid ships" position. Q2 How does the Pilot Flying know how far back to pull the Control Column at Rotate so as not to incur a Tail Strike??? Any help most appreciated . Thank you.

[Intruder]

A1: It is an "OFF" position to remove hydraulic pressure from the UP circuit of the landing gear. mechanical locks hold the gear up, and the emergency release can be used if the hydraulics fail.

A2: Instruction and practice.

[ORTAC22]

Many thanks Intruder, for your reply and regards to you.

[AerocatS2A]

Question 2: It's a bit like asking "how do you know how far to turn a car's steering wheel so the car goes around a corner without going off the road." There is a bit of a knack to knowing approximately how far/hard to pull initially but once the nose starts lifting you just adjust the column to get the pitch rate you want.

[ORTAC22]

Thanks aerocatS2a, it is slowly becoming clearer- much obliged and regards.