The installation of landing gear extenders is almost always the result of operational experience with an aircraft design that shows a problem with the landing gear – when the brakes are applied heavily the aircraft has a tendency to go up on its nose and strike the propeller on the ground. The landing gear extenders move the wheels forward relative to the centre of gravity, thus reducing this tendency.

Landing gear extenders are commonly seen installed on Cessna 120 and 140 airplanes.