Definition
A maintenance ground check in which an aircraft's landing gear is raised and lowered while the aircraft is supported on jacks, to verify that the gear extends, retracts, and locks correctly and that all associated systems — hydraulics, electrical circuits, warning lights, doors, and indicators — function properly.
Plain English
A workshop test where the aircraft is lifted on jacks so the wheels can be cycled up and down safely, checking that the landing gear and everything connected to it works as it should.
Context Anchor
Seen in maintenance procedures, inspection records, and repair sign-offs for aircraft with retractable landing gear.
Derivation
From 'retract' (Latin retrahere, 'to draw back') — the test is named for the act of drawing the gear back into the aircraft, even though extension and locking are equally checked.
Why Pilots Care
Confirms the gear will operate safely in flight, reducing the risk of gear-up landings or in-flight mechanical failures.
Intuition Check
A retraction test is not just watching the gear move upward. It checks the full landing gear cycle, including coming back down, locking, cockpit indications, and warning systems.
Example Sentence 1
After replacing the hydraulic actuator, the mechanic performed a retraction test before signing off the aircraft.
Example Sentence 2
Before signing off the inspection, the pilot watched the retraction test to verify all indicators worked as expected.