Definition
A cockpit control used by the pilot to command the landing gear to extend or retract. The switch is typically shaped like a small wheel and is moved to a DOWN position to extend the gear or an UP position to retract it, signaling the gear system to operate.
Plain English
The switch in the cockpit the pilot uses to put the wheels down or pull them up.
Context Anchor
You encounter this in airplanes with retractable landing gear, especially during before-landing, after-takeoff, and emergency gear procedures.
Why Pilots Care
Correct use ensures the aircraft is in the proper configuration for each phase of flight and prevents dangerous situations such as gear-up landings.
Intuition Check
Do not confuse the landing gear selector switch with the gear position lights. The switch commands the gear to move; the lights show what position the gear is actually in.
Example Sentence 1
After a positive rate of climb, the pilot moved the landing gear selector switch to the UP position and confirmed the gear retracted.
Example Sentence 2
After establishing a positive rate of climb, the pilot raised the landing gear by moving the selector switch to the up position.