SkyDrill

Landing gear aural warning trigger

Aviation Mechanic Airframe (AMA) practice question 18 of 20 on Aircraft Instrument Systems. ACS element AM.II.H.K21 · difficulty: standard. Want to answer it in a timed quiz? Use the Aviation Mechanic Airframe (AMA) practice mode.

Question bank updated 2026-09-22

QUESTIONOn an aircraft with retractable landing gear, what condition causes the landing gear aural warning bell to sound?

  1. AThrottle retarded, gear not down and locked.
  2. BThrottle advanced, flaps not in takeoff range.
  3. CGear extended above the placarded speed.
Show the answer and explanation

Correct answer: A. Throttle retarded, gear not down and locked.

  • A — correct A bell sounds if the throttle is retarded while the landing gear is not in a down and locked condition.
  • B — incorrect That combination triggers the takeoff configuration warning horn, which is a different warning from the landing gear bell.
  • C — incorrect Overspeed of the gear is not the trigger described for the aural gear warning; the trigger involves throttle position and gear position.

BACKGROUND

Aircraft aural warning systems work alongside illuminated annunciator systems to inform the crew audibly of a condition needing attention. Various tones and phrases sound in the flight deck for different situations. An aircraft with retractable landing gear uses an aural warning to alert the crew to an unsafe condition, and a bell sounds if the throttle is retarded while the landing gear is not down and locked. The takeoff configuration warning is separate: an intermittent horn sounds when the throttles are advanced and the speed brakes are not down, the flaps are not in the takeoff range, or the auxiliary power unit exhaust door is open. A typical transport category aircraft has aural warnings for abnormal takeoff, landing, pressurization, and Mach airspeed conditions, engine or wheel well fire, crew calls, and collision avoidance recommendations.

STUDY TIP

Separate the takeoff warnings, triggered by advancing the throttles, from the landing warnings, triggered by retarding them.

KEY POINTS

  • A bell sounds when the throttle is retarded and the gear is not down and locked.
  • Advancing the throttles with speed brakes, flaps, or the APU door wrong triggers the takeoff horn.
  • Aural warnings work together with annunciator lights to get the crew's attention.

SOURCES

  • sources/ama-airframe/ch10.txt "Aural Warning Systems"
  • sources/ama-airframe/ch10.txt "Examples of Aircraft Aural Warnings"
Practice the Aviation Mechanic Airframe (AMA) test →Timed 100-question exam, by ACS area, or review your misses. Free.
MORE ON AIRCRAFT INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS

SkyDrill is not affiliated with the FAA. This is an original practice item based on FAA-H-8083-31B Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook – Airframe, and 14 CFR part 43. Regulations and handbooks are revised; confirm details against the current edition.