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2 Answers

Minimum Flaps Retraction Altitude [VFR]

Asked by: 3405 views
Aircraft Systems, Student Pilot

Hi , i would like to know is there any restriction for minimum flaps retraction altitude  ?  or just clear of obstacle then It's ok to retract flaps ? But how high from Obstacle I can retract flaps ?

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2 Answers



  1. RickS on Sep 14, 2017

    I’m not a CFI, but I think as long as you can maintain a positive rate of climb, you are fine. AFAIK there is no hard and fast rule.

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  2. Best Answer


    John Scarry on Sep 18, 2017

    According to the Airplane Flying Handbook,

    “On short-field takeoffs, the landing gear and flaps should remain in takeoff position until the airplane is clear of obstacles (or as recommended by the manufacturer) and VY has been established. Until all obstacles have been cleared, the pilot must maintain focus outside the airplane instead of reaching for landing gear or flap controls or looking inside the airplane for any reason. When the airplane is stabilized at VY, the landing gear (if retractable) and flaps should be retracted. It is usually advisable to raise the flaps in increments to avoid sudden loss of lift and settling of the airplane.”

    There is a slight loss of lift when retracting the flaps, so you don’t want to drop back down into an obstacle—or fail to clear an obstacle. You are usually pretty busy flying the airplane and monitoring the instruments for the first few hundred feet, but after that things slow down enough that you can lower the flaps and raise the gear.

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