Not sure if this is fact or fiction but, I heard a story one time about a very well known DPE at my airport who was on a checkride with a commercial candidate in a C-172RG when they couldn't get the gear down she told the candidate to open the door and reach down to pull the gear out "manually". Needless to say the student did just that while the examiner held onto the candidate pants so they wouldn't fall out. Landed just fine.

I have heard the same stories though I have not read any documentation on it or heard from a person that actually did it, just pilot talk around the FBO.



Orig poster: As for your gear schematic, I am unsure on that but I don't recall seeing any switches in the mains. It wouldn't seem logical to waste the time with those extra electronics when you can visual verify, that doesn't mean they aren't there though. I would ask one of your mechanics that works on the aircraft, they would certainly know. If you get an answer please leave it here though as I am curious now, thanks.

If I am not mistaken, hydraulic pressure is what holds the gear up and down. The range on our schools '85 Cutlass is 1000-1500 PSI. When the pressure falls below the 1000 PSI the motor moves fluid untill there is enough pressure, then the pump switches off. If there is no fluid the only thing holding the gear down is gravity and the locking pins (electricaly controlled). So I believe you would be flying with the gear down since there would be know pressure to hold 'em up. Then it would be a matter of getting the locking pins to lock the gear down. If the gear wouldn't become locked, then the "unsafe gear" light would illuminate.

In reguards to checking the fluid, I check it before every flight. Other than for the required maintenance inspections, who knows when the last 25 hour check was done?
With the gear retraction/exention, I'll hold the gear lever untill the in transit light goes out, then verify visually that the gear did what it was supposed to do. During extensions I'll make a call:"I have a wheel" once the gear safe light goes on.

Ok heres the deal. Simply put, when you move the gear handle up and down you are sending an electronic signal to a pump that will move hydraulic fluid in one direction or the other to move the gear up or down....looks like a cork screw. Like others have said the gear does not need fluid to start the gear down position, however for anyone that has seen a 172RG will notice that the gear sits in a forward stance, towards the nose when all is down and locked.

When the gear is selected to the down position. The pump turns the cork screw in the opposite direction sending hydraulic fluid in the system in the opposite direction which will let the gear start to fall. The gear unsafe light now comes on. Hydraulic fluid IS required to be bring the gear INTO the down locks. There are 3 connections that need to be made for the GREEN down indicator light to come on. If any of the 3 are not down and locked = no light.

When the gear is selected up, the pump pushes fluid, thats it, once it reaches 1500 psi, the pump turns off, and so does the gear unsafe light....As long as you have fluid holding that psi, the gear stays up, and the lights stay off.


So to answer your question..... If you are on the ground and the master switch is on, yet you have no fluid, you WILL still have a light.

NOW.....If you loose your hydraulic fluid inflght you will notice this happening because the gear will begin to hear the hydraulic actuator kicking on, (the pump) as well as probably seeing a gear unsafe light (depending on your serial number, some have an in transit light and some have a gear unsafe. They pretty much do the same thing, but ones red and the other is amber)

This happens because the motor shuts off after it reaches the 1500 psi mark remember.....soooo if you go under that magic number, the motor kicks on, sooooo if you have a hole somewhere in your lines, the motor is now pumping the hydraulic fluid out of the system. soooo put the gear down and keep it down...assuming you still have enough fluid in the system to get into the down locks. (not sure the amount, but doesn't matter, you don't have a gauge in the cockpit anyway)

If you lose ALL fluid, the gear should be hanging under the airplane... flapping in the wind... You will have to manually pull the gear forward into a locked position. Using the emergency gear handle will not help, because all it does is try to pump fluid (which you dont have) At the flight school I used to work at would keep a cane, yes like the ones old people use, just incase this situation arose. I've heard of some people throwing a headset out, wrapping the cord around the leg and pulling it into place. Use your checklist and dont forget to put the handle down in the first place!

Good luck, fly safe!