Control Elements for Taxiing

Chapter 4.13

The Control Elements of the Airplane for Taxiing

Flight Stick or Yoke

For taxiing on concrete taxiways, keep the flight stick or yoke in its neutral position. On a bumpy surface, or when passing thresholds, the elevator control must be pulled fully.

Speed Control when Taxiing with the Power Lever

The taxi speed shall be controlled by changes in engine power. On flat surfaces, only the lowest rated power shall be used for continuous operation.

Speed Control when Taxiing with the Power Lever

To overcome unevenness and ascents one can briefly increase the power moderately. You must know how to deal with the delay between the increase in throttle and the reaction of the airplane (mass). Act with ANTICIPATION.

Speed Control when Taxiing with the Power Lever

You will better estimate the speed of taxiing by looking sideways out of the airplane.

Rudder Pedals, Nosewheel Steering

In most basic training airplanes the nose wheel can be steered by pressing on the corresponding side of the rudder pedal. The rudder pedal must not be operated when the aircraft is stationary because the rudder pedals are mechanically connected to the nose wheel. For each stop, the pedals must be placed in the neutral position.

Wheel Brakes

The Two Functions of the Wheel Brakes

Foot brakes:

To slow down the aeroplane and to stop it briefly.

Parking Brake:

To lock the airplane during start-up, during checks and for extended periods of waiting on the ground.

The foot brakes and parking brakes use a common hydraulic system.

Wheel Brakes

Foot Brakes

The pedals to activate the wheel brakes are integrated into the rudder pedals themselves. By pressing the upper part of a steering pedal, the brake is applied to the wheel on the corresponding side.

Wheel Brakes

Parking Brakes

The parking brake is used to lock the wheels of the main landing gear. The shape of the control element and the immobilizer depend on the type of aeroplane. The use of the parking brake is subject to a special instruction.

During extended periods of rest, the pressure drops in the brake cylinders, which is why the wheels of a parked aeroplane are blocked with chocks.