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:

Many pilots misuse aircraft brakes during taxiing and landing by applying them unnecessarily or excessively, which can lead to severe issues like overheating, brake failure, tire damage, loss of control, and even fire.
Proper braking technique emphasizes using aerodynamic braking after landing, applying brakes judiciously only when needed and after the nosewheel is down, and employing minimal engine power with sparse differential braking for steering during taxiing.
It is crucial for pilots to ensure their feet are off the brake pedals during touchdown, understand the two-step process for setting parking brakes (and not rely on them solely), and conduct thorough pre-flight inspections of the brake system, as aircraft brakes are less robust than those in cars.

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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.