Landing gear deployment

An aircraft controller configured to:

• determine a time period and/or distance range over which deployment of a landing gear can be initiated for aircraft landing of an aircraft at an aircraft landing site, wherein the determining of the time period is based on prevailing conditions during the aircraft landing and information related to the aircraft and the aircraft landing site, and wherein the determined time period and/or distance range comprises a determined first portion, during which landing gear deployment can be safely initiated, and a determined second portion, closer to aircraft landing than the first portion, during which the landing gear deployment can be safely initiated in an efficient landing mode;
• issue a first pilot feedback when the first portion of the determined time period and/or distance range is entered by the aircraft, the first pilot feedback indicating that deployment of the landing gear is safe;
• issue a second pilot feedback when the second portion of the determined time period and/or distance range is entered by the aircraft, the second pilot feedback indicating that the landing gear can be lowered in the efficient landing mode;
• and
• initiate landing gear deployment when the aircraft is in the determined time period and/or distance range, in response to receiving a deployment signal from the pilot.

A method for deploying an aircraft landing gear, the method comprising:

• receiving an aircraft landing gear deployment signal;
• receiving an aircraft position signal indicative of a distance of the aircraft from an aircraft landing site;
• receiving one or more flight signals indicating one or more dynamic conditions or parameters relating to the flight of the aircraft;
• determining, based at least on the one or more flight signals, a first aircraft position, relative to the aircraft landing site, at which the landing gear deployment should commence;
• and
• deploying the landing gear (a) when the aircraft reaches the first aircraft position, in the event that the deployment signal is received before the aircraft reaches the first aircraft position, or (b) immediately, if the deployment signal is received when the aircraft has passed the first aircraft position.