TAXIING

TAXIING - When first starting to taxi check your brakes for proper operation.  Give enough power to start the plane moving then reduce the power and apply the brakes.  It the plane does not stop normally, immediately shut the engine down and take the plane out of service.  To turn the plane on the ground apply rudder in the direction of turn then add power and or brake as needed to control the taxi speed and rate of turn.  Rudder pressure should be held until just short of the end of the turn, then relax rudder pressure or even apply opposite rudder as necessary to stop the turn.  While taxiing, the pilot has to anticipate the movement of the airplane and adjust accordingly. 

    The presence of moderate to strong headwinds and or propeller slipstream makes the use of elevator necessary while taxiing.  Because of the higher angle of attack, there will be a tendency for the tail to produce more lift.  The elevator should be held in the aft position to hold the tail down.  When taxiing "climb" into a headwind and "dive" into a tailwind.  This will reduce lift on the tail and help prevent the tail from rising. 

    When taxiing into a quartering headwind, the aileron on the upwind wing should be held in the UP position to reduce the lift on that wing and reduce lift.  That also puts the opposite aileron in the DOWN position producing more drag and increasing its lift slightly.  These actions help prevent the plane from being flipped over by winds.  When taxiing into a quartering tailwind, the upwind aileron should be in the full DOWN position.  Wind striking the wing will force it down and keep the plane from flipping over.  The use of these techniques provides increased control and also helps reduce the tendency of the plane to weathervane into the wind.

    An airplane with a tailwheel has a tendency to weathervane, or turn into the wind, while it is being taxied.  The tendency of the plane to weathervane is greatest when taxiing directly crosswind.  Without brakes, it may be almost impossible to keep the plane from turning into the wind as you may not have enough rudder control at taxi speeds.  In taxiing downwind the tendency of the plane to weathervane is increased because of the decreased effectiveness of the rudder.  Unless the field is soft or very rough it is best to hold the controls in the forward position when taxiing downwind.  Even on soft fields it is best to lift the elevator only as much as necessary to maintain control to reduce the tendency of the plane to nose over.  On most tailwheel airplanes directional control during taxi is increased by use of a steerable tailwheel linked to the rudder.  On a brake away type of tailwheel, the wheel is steerable about 20 degrees either side of neutral the becomes free swiveling after that.  On some models the tailwheel may also be locked in place.  The plane may be pivoted within its own length, yet fully steerable for slight to moderate turns.  Primary control of turns remains with the rudder.  Brakes should only be used as necessary when you run out of rudder peddle.

    Because of the nose high attitude of the plane, forward visibility is reduced.  forward taxiing should be done with a series of s-turns to allow the pilot to see ahead.  This should be done slowly and carefully to avoid ground obstacles.