When should the pilot lower the gear during the glide to high key?

Lowering the gear early during the glide is essential for optimizing safety and performance in a training environment. By configuring the aircraft with the gear down, the pilot can benefit from increased drag, which, in turn, helps to manage the descent rate and allows for better control of the aircraft's airspeed. This early configuration assists in ensuring that the aircraft is fully prepared for landing by the time it reaches the high key position.

Appropriate configuration before entering the pattern also aligns with standard operating procedures, as it allows the pilot to focus on other critical tasks such as checking approach speed, managing flaps, and ensuring the aircraft is on the correct glide path. Additionally, by lowering the gear early, pilots have more time to resolve any issues that may arise with the landing gear or any other flight systems, thereby enhancing safety.

In contrast, delaying the gear extension until reaching low key or high key could lead to unnecessary distractions during critical phases of flight, potentially increasing the workload when it should be minimized. Therefore, the practice of lowering the gear during the glide is not just a procedural aspect but a safety measure that contributes to a smoother transition to landing.