Definition
A retractable landing gear system that uses an electric motor to drive the gear up and down. The motor turns a system of gears, screw jacks, or torque tubes that move each landing gear leg between the extended and retracted positions, with limit switches stopping the motor at the end of travel and locking mechanisms holding the gear in place.
Plain English
A landing gear system where an electric motor does the work of raising and lowering the wheels, instead of hydraulic pressure or the pilot cranking them by hand.
Context Anchor
Seen in retractable-gear airplane training, especially when learning gear operation, gear position indications, and backup gear-extension procedures.
Derivation
Electrical comes from the Greek word elektron, referring to amber, which was associated with early observations of static electricity. Retraction comes from Latin roots meaning “to draw back.” In this term, the meaning is literal: electric power draws the landing gear back into the airplane.
Why Pilots Care
Allows the pilot to reduce drag for better speed and fuel economy while providing a simple, reliable way to move the gear without hydraulic lines or pumps.
Analogy
It is somewhat like a car’s power window: an electric motor moves something at the pilot’s command. The difference is that landing gear must also be confirmed in the correct position before the airplane lands.
Intuition Check
Do not assume “electrical” means the gear is only held in place by electricity. The electric motor moves the gear, but the gear must still reach and stay in the proper mechanical position.
Example Sentence 1
After takeoff and a positive rate of climb, the pilot selected gear up and the electrical landing gear retraction system cycled the wheels into the wells in about seven seconds.
Example Sentence 2
During the annual inspection the mechanic tested the electrical landing gear retraction system by cycling the gear several times on jacks.