ORIGINAL: Desertrat
9) Under no circumstances may a pilot or other person touch a powered model in flight; nor should any part of the model other than the landing gear, intentionally touch the ground, except while landing.
Sorry... I read this as you can touch the landing gear any time. You can touch other parts of the airplane only when attempting a landing.
Desertrat has the correct interpretation of the rule. The landing gear can touch anytime.
Tracy Hill