I live near Heathrow, and I have noticed that on several occasions Boeing 787s have not retracted their landing gear until they are a good 10 miles out and around 2000 to 3000 feet high. This has happened too many times for it to be an accident. Does anyone know why this happens?

I have also noted that several of the British Airways 787s do not use the strobes on the rear fuselage. Again, I have seen this happen repeatedly with the same planes, and so doesn't seem to be accidental. This is not case with other airlines' 787s. Any ideas?

This thread might have an answer for you.

https://www.airliners.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=1346241

Bitter pilots trying to negate the fuel savings of a more efficient airplane? Kidding...the two main reasons I can think of for leaving the gear down for an extended period of time is to help assist in brake cooling or to help remove comtaminats (snow, slush, etc.) from the gear before retraction.

SaveFerris wrote:

Bitter pilots trying to negate the fuel savings of a more efficient airplane? Kidding...the two main reasons I can think of for leaving the gear down for an extended period of time is to help assist in brake cooling or to help remove comtaminats (snow, slush, etc.) from the gear before retraction.

Third reason is if a brake is inop and you need to let the gear spin down before retraction.

Starlionblue wrote:

SaveFerris wrote:

Bitter pilots trying to negate the fuel savings of a more efficient airplane? Kidding...the two main reasons I can think of for leaving the gear down for an extended period of time is to help assist in brake cooling or to help remove comtaminats (snow, slush, etc.) from the gear before retraction.

Third reason is if a brake is inop and you need to let the gear spin down before retraction.

How long does that usually take?

jakubz wrote:

Starlionblue wrote:

SaveFerris wrote:

Bitter pilots trying to negate the fuel savings of a more efficient airplane? Kidding...the two main reasons I can think of for leaving the gear down for an extended period of time is to help assist in brake cooling or to help remove comtaminats (snow, slush, etc.) from the gear before retraction.

Third reason is if a brake is inop and you need to let the gear spin down before retraction.

How long does that usually take?

You piqued my curiosity so I looked it up in our MEL and it was two minutes from takeoff until you can retract the gear.

SaveFerris wrote:

jakubz wrote:

Starlionblue wrote:

Third reason is if a brake is inop and you need to let the gear spin down before retraction.

How long does that usually take?

You piqued my curiosity so I looked it up in our MEL and it was two minutes from takeoff until you can retract the gear.

Makes a hell of an aerodynamic noise during those two minutes

SaveFerris wrote:

jakubz wrote:

Starlionblue wrote:

Third reason is if a brake is inop and you need to let the gear spin down before retraction.

How long does that usually take?

You piqued my curiosity so I looked it up in our MEL and it was two minutes from takeoff until you can retract the gear.

Thank you! I wouldn't have known to look there.

Just hate those non-blinking strobes and beacon lights on the 787 familiy...

ojjunior wrote:

Just hate those non-blinking strobes and beacon lights on the 787 familiy...

I don't like that they blink in unison. Looks like a cheap Hollywood special effects model when on approach. All the mini lights on the model are on he same circuit.