Definition
On retractable-gear airplanes, an amber (yellow-orange) indicator light on the landing gear position panel that shows the gear is in transit — meaning it is in the process of extending or retracting and is not yet locked in either the up or down position.
Plain English
A yellow-orange light on the gear panel that means the wheels are moving — they are not yet fully up and locked, and not yet fully down and locked.
Context Anchor
Seen on cockpit indicator panels, especially in retractable-gear airplanes showing landing gear position or gear status.
Derivation
‘Amber’ comes from the yellow-orange colour of fossilised tree resin. Aviation uses a standard colour code on indicator lights: green means safe or in position, red means warning or unsafe, and amber means caution or transition. The amber light is the in-between state — neither confirmed safe nor confirmed unsafe.
Why Pilots Care
Amber lights draw attention to conditions that can escalate if ignored, allowing timely corrective action before a red warning light appears.
Intuition Check
Do not assume every amber light means the same thing in every airplane. Amber generally signals caution or a special status, but the aircraft handbook tells you the exact meaning for that aircraft.
Example Sentence 1
After selecting gear down on final approach, the pilot saw the amber light illuminate briefly before the three green lights confirmed the gear was down and locked.
Example Sentence 2
During the approach checklist the pilot observed an amber light for the flap system and verified the flap position.