At cleanup altitude, what configuration should the aircraft be in?

At cleanup altitude, what configuration should the aircraft be in?

• A. Gear UP, Flaps 0
• B. Gear DOWN, Flaps 25
• C. Gear UP, Flaps 25
• D. Gear DOWN, Flaps 0

Answer: (A)

Cleanup altitude is the point in the climb where we shift from takeoff configuration to a clean, cruise-ready setup. The airplane should be in a fully clean configuration: the landing gear retracted and the flaps set to zero. This minimizes parasite drag, letting the aeroplane accelerate efficiently and maintain the appropriate en route climb and cruise speeds. Having the gear down or flaps extended would create extra drag and blunt performance in the climb, so the preferred setup is to raise the landing gear first and then retract the flaps to zero, achieving the clean configuration for the next flight phase.

Cleanup altitude is the point in the climb where we shift from takeoff configuration to a clean, cruise-ready setup. The airplane should be in a fully clean configuration: the landing gear retracted and the flaps set to zero. This minimizes parasite drag, letting the aeroplane accelerate efficiently and maintain the appropriate en route climb and cruise speeds. Having the gear down or flaps extended would create extra drag and blunt performance in the climb, so the preferred setup is to raise the landing gear first and then retract the flaps to zero, achieving the clean configuration for the next flight phase.