First Officer Bernoulli
What's That Noise?
Just After Takeoff: "Whir Clu-Clunk!"
Immediately after takeoff we retract the landing gear. That's pilot talk for raising the wheels. The machinery to lift the wheels into their compartments makes a bit of noise, as does the closing of the doors that cover them up when they are tucked away inside.
We need the wheels hanging out for takeoff and landing, but they get hidden away behind some little doors when we are in the air, so that they do not cause drag. Drag would slow us down and make us need more fuel to get to our destination.
The next strange sound can occur during the climb...
Finished with
the wheels
for now!
