Originally Posted by
ERAUdude
Hey Guys/Gals,
Somehow, my suite mate and myself got into talking about takeoffs in transport category jets. He insists that the tiller is used for the first 80 kts on the takeoff roll because there is no rudder steering tied into the nose gear and it's not effective until 80 kts and that's the whole point of the 80 kts callout. Just curious if this is true because it doesn't sound very logical.
ERAUdude:
Once the aircraft is lined up with the runway centerline, steering is done with the rudder pedals. It may vary a degree or two with different aircraft types but on most Boeing transport category aircraft, there is 7 degrees of nosewheel steering either side of centerline with the rudder pedals. That's
more than enough to keep the aircraft on the centerline.
In initial sim training, we teach do
NOT use the tiller to steer the aircraft on the runway.
Period !! Don't even touch the tiller.
Period !The same holds on landing, where it is even more critical.
I'm aware of a transition pilot who used to grab the tiller on a rejected take-off. After about the third time (being told not to touch the tiller on the runway), the instructor rapped his hands and knucles so hard, he had welts on them. Didn't make it through training but I've been told drives a nice bread truck now.
The "80 knot" call has
many purposes. It's a cross-check of the airspeed indications, a validation that the autothrottles have entered the " hold mode", entering the "high speed abort" criteria, and depending on the aircraft, numerous system functions begin at 80 knots.
Hope this helps.
G'Day Mates