Wheelbarrowing
Wheelbarrowing (nosewheel aircraft, takeoff or landing): nose wheel sits firmly on runway, main wheels lightly loaded or clear.
- Nose gear carries excess weight.
- Nose wheel becomes the only means of steering.
Takeoff
- Starts at relatively low speed.
- Cause: slipstream adds lift on horizontal stabilizer; excessive forward elevator pressure holds aircraft down past normal takeoff speed.
- Crosswind or other yaw: aircraft pivots about nose wheel (like tailwheel ground loop) unless corrected fast.
| State | Action |
|---|---|
| Not pivoting | Ease back on column to unload nose wheel, continue takeoff |
| Pivoting | Relax forward elevator to unload nose wheel, return steering to normal |
| Pivoting stops | Resume takeoff |
| Pivoting continues | Reject takeoff |
Landing
- Cause: touchdown with little or no rotation, held down with forward elevator pressure.
- Often excessive approach speed, especially full flap.
- Nose wheel cocked to correct drift, then lowered at touchdown speed: can start swing or damage gear (not built for landing impact load).
- Signs: wheel skipping, extreme loss of braking effect.
- Side-slip crosswind landing: rudder steers nose wheel, so careless rudder at touchdown can feed a wheelbarrow.
Landing recovery
- Close throttle.
- Relax forward elevator pressure to aft of neutral: unloads nose gear, returns steering and braking to normal.
- Retract flaps if safe (extra braking on dry runway).
- Adequate performance and runway remaining: go around instead of continuing.
Trap: fix is always RELAX forward elevator pressure, never add more; excess forward pressure caused it.
References
- TP 1102 Take-off: Wheelbarrowing
- TP 1102 Approach and Landing: Wheelbarrowing