Braking Tactics

While conducting flight reviews and stage checks for students working toward various airman certificates, Im finding pilots who do not have a strong understanding of the operation and limitations of light aircraft braking systems. Ive also noticed many pilots misuse the brakes in landing and taxiing. For the former, brakes are incorrectly and/or unnecessarily applied immediately following landing. For the latter, excessive engine power requires the pilot to ride the brakes to control the airplane. Both are examples of poor technique.

Michael J. Banner

Thursday, May 24, 2018 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Widespread misunderstanding and misuse of light aircraft braking systems by pilots often leads to dangerous practices like excessive or unnecessary application, causing overheating, premature wear, brake failure, loss of control, and even fires.
Proper braking technique involves prioritizing aerodynamic braking during landing, judiciously applying brakes only after establishing directional control, and using differential braking sparingly with minimal power for taxiing, strictly avoiding "riding the brakes."
Effective brake management also requires understanding that kinetic energy converts to heat, preferring chocks over potentially faulty parking brakes for securing an aircraft, and ensuring proper foot placement (off brakes) during landing to prevent flat-spotting tires and maintain control.

See a mistake? Contact us.

While conducting flight reviews and stage checks for students working toward various airman certificates, I’m finding pilots who do not have a strong understanding of the operation and limitations of light aircraft braking systems. I’ve also noticed many pilots misuse the brakes in landing and taxiing. For the former, brakes are incorrectly and/or unnecessarily applied immediately following landing. For the latter, excessive engine power requires the pilot to “ride the brakes” to control the airplane. Both are examples of poor technique.

As we’ll see, misusing brakes during all ground operations, not just landing and taxiing, can be hazardous. As a brake overheats, it can fail, causing the pilot to lose control of the aircraft. In extreme cases, abused brakes can catch fire. There’s a better way.