Principles Of Flight Practice Test

Landing gear choices determine how the aircraft sits on the ground and how drag is managed in flight. Some airplanes use fixed landing gear, which stays down at all times, offering simplicity and durability but creating steady aerodynamic drag. Others use retractable landing gear, which folds into the fuselage or wings to reduce drag during flight, at the cost of added mechanical complexity and weight. That makes the statement about landing gear being fixed or retractable true. The idea that a third wheel must always be in front of the main wheels isn’t universal—aircraft come in various configurations, including tailwheel and tricycle gear, so wheel positions aren’t a fixed rule. Propellers belong to the propulsion system, not the landing gear. And a firewall isn’t for thrust; it’s a barrier between the engine compartment and the cockpit to protect occupants from engine heat or fire.