What indicates that the landing gear is down and locked?

The indication that the landing gear is down and locked is typically confirmed visually through a green light or other positive visual indicators on the instrument panel. This green light is a universal standard in aviation, indicating that the gear as been properly deployed and is in a safe position for landing. The intent behind this color coding is to provide a clear and immediate understanding to the pilot that the landing gear is in its correct configuration for landing.

While auditory cues or red lights might indicate a problem or that the gear is not down, a checklist verification is also a good practice but does not serve as a real-time indicator. Similarly, engine power settings relate to the aircraft's performance rather than the status of the landing gear. Thus, a green light or another clear visual confirmation is the primary method by which pilots ascertain that the landing gear is safely down and locked prior to landing.