Hello everyone please at what stage during decent should I deploy the landing gear at what altitude ? Thanks and at what altitude should I arm spoilers ?
Well, the most pressing factor in extending the landing gear irl is the airspeed. Too fast is dangerous. However, I typically extend them around 2,500 ft, since I’m typically never going more than 210kts at that altitude
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I tend to lower the gear at 2500ft above the airport elevation so around 7-8 miles or so from the runway.
Spoilers should be armed for landing at least by the time you are fully configured.
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If you are really trying to go for realism, you could probably find some stuff using Google or ChatGPT for specific aircraft or airline procedures
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It’s 12:40am and I was distracted watching Canadian GP reactions…
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This is false because landing gear can also be deployed earlier than that for drag I guess
So 2500 aGl and spoilers should be armed when completely on the glide slope
No, if you look at some of the more modern aircraft cockpits, they have a maximum landing gear extended speed. It’s more pressing for older aircraft, but modern aircraft still have limits to avoid. Also unnecessary drag means more engine fuel burned, so that’s why aircraft wait till around 2500ft to lower them.
Personally, I’ve spent most of my life under the Dallas Love Field northern approach used by Southwest and private jets, and sometimes I’d catch planes as low as 1500ft without their landing gear extended
He also said typically, which does not imply always.
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I use to lower gear at around 6nm final. Double check if you lowered it at around 3nm so you don’t risk an accidental belly landing. At bigger planes like the A380 I usually do it earlier at 8nm.
The biggest concern is when ATC calls for a speed to a certain distance - like maintain 180kts til 6 mile final.
I usually don’t drop the landing gear until final configuration, which depending on the plane, is when I get to landing speed. So drop gear, hit full flaps and arm spoilers.
Its different for everyone, but if I fly into ATC, I am listening for that speed and distance from approach call.
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Deploying your landing gear when intercepting the ILS is mostly common irl for wide bodies (a380 always) to reduce the speed and increase drag.
Spoilers are deployed in Flt mode usually at 18000ft uptil 8000ft and armed them with speed breaks.
My two cents for the gear 
There is an upper limit called VLO, 250kt for an A320 for instance, but varies with aircrafts. From there, it is a question of SOP, drag braking, fuel wasting or fuel saving, etc… as long as one arrives in good shape and with the right energy on the right spot of the runway, all is well!
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My brain is now trained to deploy gear when the aircraft screams 2500 at me.
Not sure why everyone is putting the gear down so early, lol? You’re obviously supposed to wait till you hear the “Too low, gear” callout. Since that’s not simulated in IF, I’d suggest ~500 feet AGL for full realism!
Jk, I usually lower it at 2500 feet AGL.
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