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Green landing gear position light

Aviation Mechanic Airframe (AMA) practice question 17 of 17 on Landing Gear Systems. ACS element AM.II.E.K5 · difficulty: recall. Want to answer it in a timed quiz? Use the Aviation Mechanic Airframe (AMA) practice mode.

Question bank updated 2026-09-22

QUESTIONOn a typical retractable gear aircraft, what does an illuminated green landing gear position light indicate?

  1. AThat gear is in transit between positions
  2. BThat gear is up and locked in the well
  3. CThat gear is down and locked
Show the answer and explanation

Correct answer: C. That gear is down and locked

  • A — incorrect Gear in transit is usually shown by an amber light or by a blinking indicator, not by a steady green.
  • B — incorrect Gear up and locked is typically indicated by the lights being out, although some aircraft have separate gear up lights.
  • C — correct The handbook gives green as the indication for a gear that is down and locked, which is why three green lights means it is safe to land.

BACKGROUND

Retractable gear aircraft have position indicators on the instrument panel next to the gear selector handle, usually with a dedicated light for each gear. The common scheme is lights out for gear up and locked, red for unsafe, and green for down and locked, with an amber in-transit light on many aircraft. Gear warning devices are fitted to all retractable gear aircraft and normally consist of an aural device such as a horn plus a red warning light. The horn sounds and the light comes on when one or more throttles are retarded and the gear is in any position other than down and locked. Some manufacturers add a gear disagree annunciation when the gear position does not match the selector.

STUDY TIP

Fix the color code in memory as off for up, red for unsafe, green for down and locked, and expect amber or blinking for transit.

KEY POINTS

  • Green means that gear is down and locked; three green means it is safe to land.
  • Lights out normally means gear up and locked, and red means unsafe.
  • The warning horn and red light operate when a throttle is retarded with the gear not down and locked.

SOURCES

  • FAA-H-8083-31B ch13 "Landing Gear Position Indicators"
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MORE ON LANDING GEAR 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.