When to retract the gear?

[Mark Hislop]

Rick:

As far as I'm concerned, it depends on how many engines you have running. With both engines running, the drag factor is pretty much a non-event, and I put my gear up as in any other twin...when there is no chance of putting the plane back down on the runway. During single engine operation, I would never raise the gear. At gross weight, my 73 P337 will only climb 350-375 fpm on one engine with gear up (according to the book). With gear down, it will climb about 250 fpm. During transition, with the gear doors open, it will not climb.

Mark