Apparatus and methods provide for the use of a lift-producing body with a landing gear assembly in order to provide a lifting force during landing gear operations that reduces the load on the landing gear actuator. According to embodiments, the lift-producing body may be configured for attachment to the landing gear assembly. The lift-producing body may be reconfigured while the landing gear assembly is being retracted or deployed in order to maximize the aerodynamic lift created by the lift-producing body or to minimize the drag induced by the lift-producing body.