Chances are honestly quite small that they 'forgot' to retract the gears after take-off. Remember, there's at least two pilots in that flight deck, and per standard procedures, one of them would call out for the gears to be retracted, the other would perform the physical action of moving the lever. As such, two people would have to forget about it for an extended period of time, at the same time. Except for some abnormality occurring in/around the flight deck just after take-off (unexpected instructions, traffic, etc...), chances of forgetting it are slim.
The landing gear, when extended, offers some significant aerodynamic drag, hindering the performance of the aircraft noticeably. Also, the gear is certainly audible when extended, another factor suggesting they did not forget about it.
My guess is that the brakes may still have been hot after the previous arrival and outbound taxi, and they decided to let the gear hang in the airflow for a few minutes to cool them down.
As always, I could be wrong, of course, and often am.
Emirates pilot "forgets" to retract landing gears during Take-Off at Brussels Airport
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Re: Emirates pilot forgets to retract landing gears during Take-Off at Brussels Airport
Yes, it's even a standard procedure. Especially on short turnarounds the brakes might still be fairly hot and might even limit your turnaround time (min time on ground required). In some cases it is even required to keep the gear down.
- HQ_BRU_Lover
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Re: Emirates pilot forgets to retract landing gears during Take-Off at Brussels Airport
I doubt they 'forgot'
Had the experience myself back in 2004 on a UA flight from DEN to PHX. Gear stayed down for about ten minutes as that was the fastest way to cool it down (stated by the captain).
Had the experience myself back in 2004 on a UA flight from DEN to PHX. Gear stayed down for about ten minutes as that was the fastest way to cool it down (stated by the captain).
- quixoticguide
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Re: Emirates pilot forgets to retract landing gears during Take-Off at Brussels Airport
Around 2:20 minutes after take-off they retract the landing gears.
Guess cooling the brakes
Take-off at 14:32:10
Turn at 14:32:47
Climb at 14:33:50
Retracting gear at 14:34:17
Guess cooling the brakes
Take-off at 14:32:10
Turn at 14:32:47
Climb at 14:33:50
Retracting gear at 14:34:17
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- Bruspotter
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Re: Emirates pilot forgets to retract landing gears during Take-Off at Brussels Airport
Hello guys,
Real reason was less spectacular.
One brake unit was leaking so one brake was depressurized deactivated to stop the leak.
This is an approved procedure and has as consequence that gear must remain down to allow natural spin-out of wheel of deactivated wheel before retraction of gear. This to limit forces on gear during retraction.
Aircraft left on time despite everything.
Greets,
Real reason was less spectacular.
One brake unit was leaking so one brake was depressurized deactivated to stop the leak.
This is an approved procedure and has as consequence that gear must remain down to allow natural spin-out of wheel of deactivated wheel before retraction of gear. This to limit forces on gear during retraction.
Aircraft left on time despite everything.
Greets,
- HQ_BRU_Lover
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Re: Emirates pilot forgets to retract landing gears during Take-Off at Brussels Airport
Very clear explanation, thanks Bruspotter!
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Re: Emirates pilot forgets to retract landing gears during Take-Off at Brussels Airport
Thought brakes already, but anyway thanks for info
still nice scoop
still nice scoop