The SAAF Forum

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Lovely, hope there's a few more to come.

At around 2:50 or so when the aircraft are starting to taxi out, it appears that they hit the brakes and a technician checks something before they start rolling again. What is happening here?

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A plan is simply a basis for change.

I think that's pretty standard. Making sure that the brakes work and nothing falls off due to the sudden stop!

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How come every time my ship comes in, I'm at the airport?

Yeh, exactly. Its a brake test to make sure the pilot can stop the aircraft. You'll notice the pilot increased the RPM, holding the brakes, then releases and jumps back on the brakes.

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A plan is simply a basis for change.

Nope its to test the pitch dampers or inboard elevons. Mirage 3 and cheetahs fitted with a CAS ( control augmentation system ) and SAS system (stability system). Inboard elevons only connected through these systems. As nose drops when braking they move up which is acknowledge by groundcrew. Very basic fly by wire.

Ok then but is that an additional check for the Cheetah/ Mirage. As other aircraft types also perform brake checks?

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In the video at 2:30 that specific check is for the pitch dampers.Notice the marshaller looking over the wing. If they disengage you loose 1/3 of your control surfaces. I remember a pilot telling me once about how he sat on the tail of a mirage f1 in a dogfight.His words (with hand gestures)were something like "I was on his tail pulling hard when the dampers disengaged and the f1 just left".

On youtube check draken cheetah fighter jet overhauled. you see what i mean at about the 50 sec mark.
And yes we check most aircraft brakes on taxi.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ANCNWuv2UI

Thanks darkknight, good to have you back!

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How come every time my ship comes in, I'm at the airport?

Thanks Darknight.

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I concur with Darlnight. I was an A/C Fitter on Cheetah D's. We did the same thing.