[JEP]

Originally Posted by tonyw

Do you ever stop being paranoid about the gear being down? I flew the Cardinal for the first time in a long time, and I did it solo today. I did the GUMPS check before I entered the pattern, and then I did it again on downwind, and I checked the gear light on base, and on final, and just before I crossed the threshold.

Paranoia perhaps, but I do not want to land gear up.

My question is, is this excessive?

While I don't have any complex time yet, I would say that it is not excessive. If for one second you think it might be, take a read of this:

NTSB Identification: ATL06LA014
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Friday, November 11, 2005 in Summerville, SC
Aircraft: Mooney M20M, registration: N43CW
Injuries: 1 Fatal, 1 Serious.
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.
On November 11, 2005, at 1418 eastern standard time, a Mooney M20M, N43CW, registered to and operated by the private pilot, collided with trees, fell to the ground and burst into flames during an approach to land on runway 24, at the Summerville Airport, Summerville, South Carolina. The flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot received serious injuries. the passenger received fatal injuries and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight originated from Waverly, Ohio, on November 11, 2005, at 1200 Central Standard Time.

According to witnesses, the airplane touched down on runway 06, with the gear retracted. The airplane was observed exiting a cloud of dust and climbing to about 500 feet. Witnesses said the airplane circled the runway to the left twice, and the pilot lowered the landing gear for an approach to runway 24. During the descent the airplane went into the trees and collided with the ground 500 yards from the threshold of runway 24. Witnesses telephoned the 911 operator, reported the accident, and proceeded to the accident site to give assistance.