"Steve Franklin" wrote in message
...

I have no idea about aviation so excuse me if this is a dumb question.

Why is that on planes the landing gear:

a) has such an unique interface relative to the other avionics. E.g Why
the long handle?


Landing gear is not avionics. The size of the gear "lever" depends on the
method of gear actuation. Aircraft with manual gear retraction and
extension need fairly long gear levers in order to obtain sufficient
mechanical advantage for the pilot. Aircraft with straight hydraulic
systems generally have longer gear levers than those with electric or
electrohydraulic systems because it takes more force to turn a valve than
actuate a switch.



b) What is the purpose of the wheel at the end of the landing gear arm?


To readily identify it as the gear lever; move the "wheel" to move the
wheels.