Definition
The maximum airspeeds, published in the Aircraft Flight Manual or Pilot's Operating Handbook, at which the landing gear and wing flaps may be safely extended, retracted, or operated. These limits include the maximum landing gear extended speed (VLE), the maximum landing gear operating speed (VLO), and the maximum flap extended speed (VFE), each of which restricts the airspeed during the corresponding configuration change.
Plain English
The fastest speeds at which a pilot is allowed to lower or raise the gear and flaps, or fly with them down, without risking damage to the airplane.
Context Anchor
Seen during descent planning, approach setup, and any checklist step where the pilot prepares the airplane for landing.
Why Pilots Care
Exceeding these speeds while changing configuration can cause structural damage or loss of control.
Analogy
Think of them like speed limits for movable parts of the airplane. The airplane itself may be able to fly faster, but the gear and flaps have their own lower limits.
Intuition Check
Do not read “gear and flap speeds” as recommended target speeds for every landing. They are limits: stay at or below the proper speed before moving or using the gear or flaps.
Example Sentence 1
On the descent into the terminal area, the pilot slowed below the published gear and flap speeds before lowering the landing gear and selecting the first stage of flaps.
Example Sentence 2
During descent planning the crew reviewed the gear and flap speeds to stay within limits while configuring the aircraft.