Boeing 737 Landing Gear Limitations

[Panama Jack]

I am just reviewing the limitations for a 737-200 from an FCOM. I am surprised by what is not there. There is no Vle or Vlo and no maximum altitude for having the landing gear extended published in the limitations.

Am I correct to read that this means the gear and be extended all the way up to Vmo/Mmo at 37,000 feet?

And how does this compare to the other models of the 737 family?

Thanks in advance for all replies.

[Mshamba]

Classic/NG:

Extend max 270 kts
Flying with extended gear max 320 kts
Retract max 235 kts

[Mach E Avelli]

Same limits for B732, but I don't know where they are published.

[BOAC]

....and thus, yes, if you wanted to, up to 37,000ft.

[CaptainSandL]

The landing gear limitations are placarded and therefore do not need to be listed in the limitations section of the FCOMs, Ref: Limitations L.10.1

"GENERAL
This chapter contains AFM limitations and Boeing recommended operating information. Limitations that are obvious, shown on displays or placards, or incorporated within an operating procedure are not contained in this chapter."

[Rainboe]

The previous recommendation for emergency descent following depressurisation used to be to slow up to gear lowering speed, extend gear, then commence emergency descent. It gave a higher rate of descent though with a delayed start. Getting down to 10,000' there was not much time in it. This method is not recommended anymore as the current recommendation is to start the descent as soon as possible. Therefore, for Boeings, there is no maximum recommended altitude for gear, but note should be taken of maximum speeds in IAS and Mach.

[BOAC]

Actually the only reason to have to 'slow up', RB, would be if structural damage was suspected and then you WOULD in any case need the gear to get down reasonably quickly. I cannot imagine what IAS/Mach you have been cruising around at at high level............ At 37,000ft the 200 would have an IAS of around 230kts or less. Not until around 30,000ft is 270kts even a consideration.

[Rainboe]

The 737 is not the only jet in the world! The VC10 and the 747 would need to slow up to drop the gear for an emergency descent if you decided to do it that way.

[captjns]

Same with the 727... you need to slow down before dropping the gear as we used to cruise at a modest .88.

[BOAC]

The 737 is not the only jet in the world!

- there's a surprise! It is, however, the ONLY 'jet' queried in the post. I guess the space shuttle probably needs to slow down for gear extension as well?

[Rainboe]

Well even though the original post is about the 737, one hesitates to make an outright comment 'you don't need to slow down to extend the gear' as for other types you do, and some other pernickity individual will castigate you for the fact that other types do have to slow down first and you have just said you don't!

Doesn't your head just hurt when you have too much idle time on your hands!

[BOAC]

??? You were the one who introduced the topic of 'slowing down' for an emergency descent. The OP was about the 737-200 VLe and VLo. I'm trying to make sure the OP does not get the wrong idea about the 737 which could be dangerous - and actually I'm quite busy and no head pains.

[Rainboe]

In the face of extreme pedanticism (and a slow internet connection), one retreats defeated! One thought this was aviation technical chat. How foolish was one!

[BelArgUSA]

Obviously - Pprune forum is the SOP and Limitations reference.
Replaces AOM and GOM - How convenient...
Gear speed 737 info... requires about 10-20 answers + discussion.
xxx

Happy contrails