A red light illuminated in the landing gear selector handle indicates that the PCL is approaching IDLE, with the gear handle up, and which of the following?

The illumination of a red light in the landing gear selector handle when the power control lever (PCL) is approaching IDLE, and the gear handle is up, indicates that the landing gear doors are not closed. This warning serves as a safety mechanism to alert the pilot that despite the gear being retracted, the doors that cover the gear are not in their proper closed position.

In aircraft design, it is critical for landing gear doors to close properly to ensure aerodynamic efficiency and to prevent potential damage to the gear mechanism during flight. The red light acts as a visual cue for the pilot to verify the status of the landing gear doors before proceeding with further maneuvers, especially during landing or takeoff phases.

This situation typically does not imply a hydraulic system issue, a failure in the landing gear system, or an indication that the gear is not locked, as those would trigger different kinds of alerts or indicators. Thus, the observation of the red light specifically signifies a problem with the landing gear doors, reinforcing the need for pilots to check that all components are functionally secured and properly positioned before flight operations continue.