Definition
The maximum airspeed at which an airplane can be safely flown with the landing gear extended. Above this speed, aerodynamic loads on the extended gear, gear doors, and supporting structure can cause damage.
Plain English
The fastest you're allowed to fly with the wheels already down and locked in place.
Context Anchor
Seen in the aircraft flight manual, pilot’s operating handbook, cockpit placards, and landing checklist planning.
Derivation
From aviation shorthand: V for velocity (airspeed), L for landing gear, E for extended. So VLE = velocity, landing gear, extended.
Why Pilots Care
Exceeding this speed with the gear extended can cause structural damage to the gear, doors, or airframe.
Intuition Check
Do not read VLE as the speed for moving the landing gear up or down. It is the limit for flying after the landing gear is already extended.
Example Sentence 1
After lowering the gear on the downwind leg, the pilot kept the airspeed below VLE during the descent to the runway.
Example Sentence 2
With a gear malfunction the crew flew the entire approach at or below VLE.