Handling Wheel Barrow Situations

Introduction

The wheel barrow effect is a critical aerodynamic concern during the taxi, take-off, and landing phases of flight. This section aims to help pilots understand what wheel barrowing is, why it occurs, and the appropriate actions to take if it occurs. Mastery of these concepts is essential for safely operating an aircraft and avoiding potential accidents.

What is Wheel Barrowing?

Definition

Wheel barrowing occurs when excessive weight is concentrated on the nosewheel of an aircraft rather than being distributed across the main landing gear. This typically happens during the final phases of landing or initial stages of take-off.

Consequences

Loss of Directional Control: Excessive load on the nosewheel makes steering ineffective.
Potential Prop Strike or Nose Gear Collapse: Heavy loading may result in physical damage or failure of the nosewheel assembly.
Reduced Braking Action: Decreased effectiveness of braking due to improper wheel contact.

Causes of Wheel Barrowing

Simultaneous Touchdown

Landing with both the main and nose wheels touching down simultaneously at high speeds can lead to wheel barrowing. Proper flare technique is crucial to ensure a main-gear-first touchdown.

Excessive Landing Speed

Failures in speed management during landing can cause the nose of the aircraft to dip, forcing the nosewheel to touch first.

Environmental Factors

Crosswinds: Can exacerbate the effect by causing the aircraft to pivot around the nosewheel and veer off course.

Mitigation Strategies

Go-Around Procedure

Immediate Action:
- Increase back pressure on the control column and add power to abort the current landing attempt.
- Re-integrate into the traffic pattern for a stabilized approach and subsequent landing.

Weight Redistribution

If a go-around is not feasible, gently apply back pressure on the control surfaces to redistribute weight onto the main landing gear, minimizing nosewheel load and stabilizing the aircraft.

Pilot Technique and Importance

Proper Landing Techniques

Flare Execution: Transition smoothly during landing to ensure a nose-high attitude and allow for main gear contact first.
Speed Management: Ensure approach speed is correct to prevent nose-heavy touch downs.

Training Emphasis

Pilots should be trained to handle crosswinds effectively and understand the importance of speed control and proper flare techniques, reducing the risk of wheel barrowing.

Porpoising

A phenomenon where the aircraft oscillates between nose-up and nose-down attitudes post-touchdown. Often related to improper landing techniques that also contribute to wheel barrowing.

Flare Technique

Analogous to how birds land, controlled deceleration with a slight nose-up attitude to achieve a soft touchdown on the main landing gear.

Conclusion

Understanding the wheel barrow effect is essential for maintaining safety during the critical phases of flight. By recognizing the situations that lead to wheel barrowing and applying suitable corrective actions, pilots can ensure safer operations.