Brakes

Most aircraft brakes are hydraulic although some types may be cable actuated or even mechanical. They usually have both a brake and park brake.

The park brake generally is just a non return valve and as such will not be effective unless the park brake is turned on and then the break is pumped.

controls2

The brakes are generally either toe brakes pressed with the feet and mounted above or on the rudder pedals, or a hand brake that is generally pressed forward to activate it.  Toe brakes often allow one wheel to be braked at a time which really assists when taxiing or turning sharply.

img_7498

Wheel blocks or chocks – when we park an aircraft in a hanger we do not put the park brake on. We put chocks in front of and behind the nose wheel. These allow others to remove the aircraft from the hanger in a fire and move the aircraft to fit multiple aircraft in a hanger space.

img_7506

When we park outside we need to tie the aircraft to  the ground or to concrete blocks to avoid it being damaged in storms or when other aircraft thrust hits the aircraft. Some aerodromes have long cables to tie down to. If you fly somewhere take two pegs, a hammer and two ties.