Gear, Prop, and Cowl Flaps: Stepping Up (AFH Ch. 12)

Your first complex airplane hands you three new levers and a whole new failure mode. Chapter 12: how retractable gear systems work and how pilots still land gear-up anyway, the constant-speed propeller and what manifold pressure really tells you, cowl flaps, and the flows and checklists that keep the step-up from biting.In this episode:Retractable gear: the systems, the indicators, and the gear-up landing nobody plans Constant-speed props: the governor, manifold pressure, and 'squaring' myths Cowl flaps and engine temperature management GUMPS and flow checks: the habits that catch the forgotten lever Transition training: why the insurance company is right about this oneSources: FAA Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-3C), Chapter 12. Also referenced: **Handbook edition:** FAA-H-8083-3C.; 14 CFR 61.31(f)(1) — high-performance airplane definition (engine of more than 200 horsepower).; 14 CFR 61.1 — complex airplane definition (retractable landing gear, flaps, and controllable-pitch propeller; seaplane variant; FADEC provision).; **Episode description disclosure:** Maya and Rico are AI-generated hosts. Episodes are produced from official FAA public-domain source material. Education and entertainment only — not flight instruction; always consult your CFI and the current FAR/AIM.. Current as of August 2026 — always verify against the current FAR/AIM.Maya and Rico are AI-generated hosts. Episodes are produced from official FAA public-domain source material. Education and entertainment only — not flight instruction; always consult your CFI and the current FAR/AIM.