Definition
The action of mechanically raising the wheels and their supporting structure into the airplane's fuselage or wings after takeoff, performed in retractable-gear airplanes once a positive rate of climb is established and there is no usable runway remaining for landing.
Plain English
Pulling the wheels up into the airplane after takeoff so the aircraft is cleaner and faster through the air. Only applies to airplanes whose wheels are designed to fold away.
Context Anchor
Encountered during the initial climb after takeoff in an airplane with retractable landing gear.
Derivation
‘Retract’ comes from the Latin retrahere, meaning ‘to draw back.’ The wheels are literally drawn back into the airplane.
Why Pilots Care
Reduces parasite drag, improves climb gradient, and prevents damage from leaving the gear extended at higher speeds.
Intuition Check
Do not think of retraction as simply “getting the wheels up as soon as possible.” In this context, it means raising the gear at the proper point after the airplane is safely flying and climbing.
Example Sentence 1
After confirming a positive rate of climb, the pilot called for landing gear retraction.
Example Sentence 2
The after-takeoff checklist requires landing gear retraction prior to accelerating to climb speed.