Correct position of feet on rudder pedals at landing. (Airbus)
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Correct position of feet on rudder pedals at landing. (Airbus)
I saw a Youtube video of an Airbus landing where you can clearly see that the captain moves his feet up on the pedals only a few seconds AFTER touchdown.
To me that means that he wasn't ready for instinctive (differential) braking at touchdown. He obviously only had his toes on the bottom part of the rudder at that time, far away from the brakes.
When somebody makes a remark about it in the comments, his reply is "There's autobrakes on this aircraft."
You can see it in the video below, where you can see his knees go up at 5:53 secs into the movie. ( he doesn't only do it in this movie. I obeserved in his other Youtube movies as well.)
I'm really amazed to see a captain land like this. Your thoughts?
To me that means that he wasn't ready for instinctive (differential) braking at touchdown. He obviously only had his toes on the bottom part of the rudder at that time, far away from the brakes.
When somebody makes a remark about it in the comments, his reply is "There's autobrakes on this aircraft."
You can see it in the video below, where you can see his knees go up at 5:53 secs into the movie. ( he doesn't only do it in this movie. I obeserved in his other Youtube movies as well.)
I'm really amazed to see a captain land like this. Your thoughts?
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There is a growing armada of pilots lacking the fine motor skill of placing a foot on a pedal without pressing it. They happily ignore the fact that uncle Airbus is "selling" the rudder pedals with a toe stop so the pilot is ready to hit the brakes whenever needed and wait for their "oh sugar" moment when they have to land in a gusty crosswind. They'll never learn.
On amore serious note: landing "feet up" is impossible on a Boeing and nigh to impossible on a Cessna, many instructors project this knowledge to an Airbus without questioning the logic. The tendency to buy a typerating from a TRTO, not from the manufacturer, helps to spread fake news and wrong techniques.
On amore serious note: landing "feet up" is impossible on a Boeing and nigh to impossible on a Cessna, many instructors project this knowledge to an Airbus without questioning the logic. The tendency to buy a typerating from a TRTO, not from the manufacturer, helps to spread fake news and wrong techniques.
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'My' Airbus FCTM states: 'The flight crew must have their feet in a position so that full rudder deflection combined with full braking, even differential, can be applied instinctively and without delay'
Indeed, the airbus rudder pedals are designed to position your feet on the pedals, applying rudder with the heels and the toes ready to brake. That's what I've been taught as soon as I transitioned from the 737 to the 320.
One should indeed ask how else you can be ready to brake if something happens at or just after touchdown? Something like a burst tire, locked brake, nose wheel fault (off center). All unlikely events, but if it should happen, having your feet on the pedals, ready to brake (differentially) might be the difference between a non-event or making the world headlines.
Indeed, the airbus rudder pedals are designed to position your feet on the pedals, applying rudder with the heels and the toes ready to brake. That's what I've been taught as soon as I transitioned from the 737 to the 320.
One should indeed ask how else you can be ready to brake if something happens at or just after touchdown? Something like a burst tire, locked brake, nose wheel fault (off center). All unlikely events, but if it should happen, having your feet on the pedals, ready to brake (differentially) might be the difference between a non-event or making the world headlines.
but if it should happen, having your feet on the pedals, ready to brake (differentially) might be the difference between a non-event or making the world headlines.
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Ever tried walking just using your heels? Difficult and for some, quite painful.. In an emergency there may be a reason for deliberately landing with toes poised on top of brakes while trying to steer the rudder with using your heels. But totally unnecessary for normal day to day landings.
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I don't understand how the whole "heels up/down" thing is still a question. Even my previous types (DHC-6 and -8) had pedals designed so you could actuate brakes or rudder independently. It's poor self awareness/lack of motor skills if you can't keep the toes off the brakes while using the rudder.
To me it all comes down to this: you want to have full control of the airplane in the least amount of time so you can apply corrections should it be needed. I've never experienced any problems on any type by placing my feet heels up on the pedals. And yes, current type is A320
To me it all comes down to this: you want to have full control of the airplane in the least amount of time so you can apply corrections should it be needed. I've never experienced any problems on any type by placing my feet heels up on the pedals. And yes, current type is A320
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Ever tried walking just using your heels? Difficult and for some, quite painful.. In an emergency there may be a reason for deliberately landing with toes poised on top of brakes while trying to steer the rudder with using your heels. But totally unnecessary for normal day to day landings.
Nice to plan when you have an emergency, but what about the one you didn’t plan for....
We aren’t paid for day to day operations, we are paid for when things go wrong, are you ready for when things go wrong?
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I've landed with my feet 'up' on the pedals for 36 years. Shorts 3-30 will make you consider that technique. It's been no problem, heels for the rudders with foot flexed backwards. To transfer to braking is as easy as relaxing the front muscles at the front of your calves. It's much easier, and faster, than sliding your foot up the rudder pedals, especially in strong or gusty crosswinds.
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There is a growing armada of pilots lacking the fine motor skill of placing a foot on a pedal without pressing it. They happily ignore the fact that uncle Airbus is "selling" the rudder pedals with a toe stop so the pilot is ready to hit the brakes whenever needed and wait for their "oh sugar" moment when they have to land in a gusty crosswind. They'll never learn.
On amore serious note: landing "feet up" is impossible on a Boeing and nigh to impossible on a Cessna, many instructors project this knowledge to an Airbus without questioning the logic. The tendency to buy a typerating from a TRTO, not from the manufacturer, helps to spread fake news and wrong techniques.
On amore serious note: landing "feet up" is impossible on a Boeing and nigh to impossible on a Cessna, many instructors project this knowledge to an Airbus without questioning the logic. The tendency to buy a typerating from a TRTO, not from the manufacturer, helps to spread fake news and wrong techniques.
Last edited by misd-agin; 30th Aug 2018 at 17:03. Reason: added "your post..."
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Ever tried walking just using your heels? Difficult and for some, quite painful.. In an emergency there may be a reason for deliberately landing with toes poised on top of brakes while trying to steer the rudder with using your heels. But totally unnecessary for normal day to day landings.
We were instructed to keep heels on the floor during take-off, (Airbus FBW), i.e. steer with our toes on the bottom of the pedals. This was I believe to avoid accidentally disconnecting the autobrake during an RTO.
On approach to land, the Airbus conducts a brake test, so it checks there are no locked brakes before landing.
What circumstances would require one to apply differential braking on the point of touchdown? (given that you will be well above Vmcg at this point).
On approach to land, the Airbus conducts a brake test, so it checks there are no locked brakes before landing.
What circumstances would require one to apply differential braking on the point of touchdown? (given that you will be well above Vmcg at this point).
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I'm feet up as well. Relatively new to the Boeing, so I do brief that I might disconnect RTO and manually brake in an emergency, but flame me if you want- I don't see any problem with that. I can modulate as required depending on what the problems was. Then again, I've flown tail draggers and turboprops so my fine motor skills are not a problem....
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We were instructed to keep heels on the floor during take-off, (Airbus FBW
Airbus does have an official position: Feet fully on the pedals.
Check the Airbus WIN application in the APP store and then specifically the video “preventing runway excursion”. There is a very clear depiction of what they recommend.
Edit: roughly 13m50 sec in the video, the recommendation is position 1.
Check the Airbus WIN application in the APP store and then specifically the video “preventing runway excursion”. There is a very clear depiction of what they recommend.
Edit: roughly 13m50 sec in the video, the recommendation is position 1.
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Had a very experienced TRE (“over 10,000 hours in sim”) for my last check and he taught us to keep heals on the floor - “that’s why Airbus put that shinny metal floor there”. I guess everyone has a different opinion.
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Airbus does have an official position: Feet fully on the pedals.