Originally Posted by
CRAN
One additional question guys:
How does the parking brake typically function? Is it controlled solely at the pilots discretion or does it automatically release or come on when the gear is lowered?
Cheers,
CRAN
At pilots discretion in all that I've operated: I can't think of any reason for it to be automatically applied!
Some aircraft use auxiliary hydraulic pressure for the parking brake, which will bleed off and thus render the parking brake useless for the next start. Tedious as you should then chock the mainwheels when leaving the machine and especially before the next start to secure the aircraft. You then have to remove the chocks before taxi which can require groundcrew to remove and (possibly) stow them back in the boot of the helicopter before you taxi off on your merry way.