Definition
Single-engine airplanes whose landing gear is permanently extended and cannot be retracted into the airframe in flight. The wheels remain in the airstream throughout all phases of flight, producing constant aerodynamic drag but eliminating the mechanical complexity, weight, and pilot workload associated with retractable systems.
Plain English
Small one-engine planes whose wheels stay down all the time. There are no controls to raise or lower the wheels because they are bolted in place.
Context Anchor
Seen in nontowered airport discussions when describing the kinds of light aircraft commonly sharing the airport and traffic pattern.
Derivation
Fixed means held in place, not movable. Singles is shorthand for single-engine airplanes. Together the phrase simply describes airplanes with one engine and non-retracting wheels.
Why Pilots Care
These aircraft are the most common trainers and personal planes at nontowered fields; their lower speeds require other traffic to adjust spacing and pattern entry.
Intuition Check
Fixed does not mean the wheels cannot steer; it means the landing gear does not fold up into the airplane. Singles does not mean one seat; it means one engine.
Example Sentence 1
Most primary trainers at the flight school are fixed-gear singles, so students never have to manage a landing gear lever.
Example Sentence 2
The instructor pointed out three fixed-gear singles already in the pattern before we entered on the 45.