Plain English Meaning

A latch that keeps the front wheel locked up inside the airplane after it has been retracted, so it stays put during flight.

Full Definition

A mechanical latching device that holds the nose landing gear securely in the retracted (up) position inside the wheel well during flight, preventing it from falling free under its own weight or aerodynamic loads until the pilot commands gear extension.

Context Anchor

Seen during preflight inspection of retractable-gear airplanes and in descriptions of how the landing gear system works.

Derivation

Combines 'nose gear' (the front under the airplane's nose) with 'uplock' — a lock that holds something in the . The opposite is a 'downlock,' which holds the gear extended for .