Setting Parking Brake On Runway Before Take Off
 

Getting some conflicting thoughts from pilots about the use of the parking brake on the runway, just wanted to see how others do it...

You are cleared to line up and wait on an active runway for departure. You are expecting a slight delay of 1-3 minutes before cleared to take off.

Do you set the parking brake whilst waiting or just use the toe brakes in case the parking brake gets jammed in the on position thus blocking the runway?

Has anyone ever had a parking brake become stuck in the on position on the runway prior to take off?

Cheers

In the last thirty-five years? NO!

No, never had a parking brake get stuck, but I will never set the parking brake on the runway while waiting.

I guess it is a habit left from airplanes without a take-off config warning. That way the chance of trying to take-off with the parking brake set is/was reduced.

Never saw the need to change this habit.

GC

No never, haven't had prince Charles onboard either.

I would set the parking brake in the case of expecting some delay before commencing the take off roll. Have not yet experienced any stuck brakes on the runway.
Our company even recommends to set the brakes.

Nope, never set it.

We tended not to on the C-130 as it did once in a while become stuck. Seemed to be a known phenomenon. The the F/E had to go into the nose wheelwell and fix it. Saw it happen once on the ramp. All other big aircraft ops had it set on the runway.

Previous companies, sure. Current company, no: Forget to release the brake before the power comes up and bingo - Config Warn and an abort and a bunch of paperwork.

Yes, even if you were standing still. . . :ugh:

we have no restrictions and never hear about a problem using the parking brakes into the runway

toby320 :ok:

Stupid if you do it.

Must admit to doing it years back when learning and hadn't fully disengaged park brake - take off felt a bit slower than normal. Could have caused problems in the wrong setting (i.e. a strip, a bigger plane, etc), so learnt that one the 'hard' way.

Nope, don't do it.

If your little legs get tired hand it to him or her next door for a bit.

Back when I just started flying the DC8 my comnpany had a policy, and it continued through out my career on all aircraft I flew, not to ever use the parking brake when taking the active. I recall that Capitol International Airways lost a 63 series at ANC on take off. Probalble cause suspected parking brake was enable during takeoff.

Set it always if we need to wait a few minutes. And just in case, I leave my hand over the parking brake handle as a reminder, and recheck if it is off before applying takeoff power.

Once had to sit on a twy and wait for a Heavy crew to clear their brake problem on the active, and only available, runway. They couldn't. Fun and games ensued. Fortunately we could (just) make the turn for an intersection dep, and had the data for it. Park prake on the runway? No. Bloody stupid.

is there any regulation prohibiting its use on line up?

Yes, my company's OM.

Never done it.

Nic

The axiom "flexible is too rigid for aviation, one has to be fluid" comes to mind.

I am not convinced that declaring a practice as stupid has a place in a modern cockpit if there are circumstances which might require the use of said practice.

If you feel more comfortable setting the park brake while waiting for a minute or two, then by all means do it - just be aware of the consequences. Likewise if you prefer not to set it.
There really is no hard and fast reason that I can think of why one should be obliged to set or not.
Similarly I can think of a few arguments both in favour of and against both methods, none of which would be immune to counter arguments.

Personal choice - remain situationally aware.

Stuck parking brake
 

After 40 odd years in engineering I've never heard of a
parking brake sticking in the "On" position.
I suppose it's possible, but extremely remote possibility.

The problem is at night where if you did not have your Size Tens firmly holding the brake pedals down you may not notice the aircraft is moving. Unless you have got red hot brakes while taxiing for take off then it surely is good airmanship to always set the parking brake when stopped anywhere?