Definition
The minimum airspeed at which the landing gear and/or flaps may be safely retracted after takeoff or during a go-around, as specified by the airplane manufacturer in the Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH) or Airplane Flight Manual (AFM).
Plain English
The speed the airplane must reach before you raise the gear or flaps. Below this speed, raising them too early can cause a loss of lift or a sink toward the ground.
Context Anchor
Seen during go-around procedures, especially when changing from a landing setup to a climb setup after deciding not to land.
Derivation
From the verb 'retract,' meaning to draw back or pull in. Used here in the literal sense of pulling the gear and flaps back into the airframe.
Why Pilots Care
Retracting flaps below this speed causes an abrupt loss of lift that can lead to an immediate stall or insufficient climb performance during the most critical phase of flight.
Intuition Check
Do not read retraction speed as the speed caused by something retracting. It means the airplane's airspeed at which the pilot should retract that item.
Example Sentence 1
During the go-around, the pilot waited until the airplane reached the published retraction speed before raising the flaps in stages.
Example Sentence 2
The pilot delayed flap retraction until the airspeed indicator showed the published retraction speed to preserve climb capability.