During the climb phase in a retractable gear airplane, what must be confirmed before retracting gear?

Before retracting the landing gear in a retractable gear airplane during the climb phase, it is crucial to confirm that climb airspeed has been achieved and is stable. This is important because retracting the landing gear too early, before reaching a safe climb airspeed, can lead to an increased risk of stalling the aircraft.

If the aircraft is not at the appropriate climb speed, raising the gear can cause excessive drag that could compromise the climb performance and stability of the aircraft. A stable climb airspeed ensures that the aircraft is in a favorable aerodynamic condition to handle the additional changes when the gear is retracted.

Other factors such as having passengers seated, engine power settings, or weather conditions are important for overall safety but do not directly impact the immediate mechanics of retracting the landing gear during the climb. Ensuring the aircraft is at the proper airspeed is the priority to maintain control and ensure a safe climb.