On 20 Sep 2003 18:09:14 -0700, Snowbird wrote:
But normal taxiing ops? Can't says I ever encountered an airport
where brakes were necessary. So I just can't agree that it's
"common at small airports to be faced with a turn that can't
be made with nosewheel steering alone" in a small Cessna.

My experience is you do at least need to dab the brakes to get a
C172 or similar around most 90-degree taxiway bends. The nosewheel
steering with the spring rather than the direct connect just won't
steer enough unless the brake is dabbed. The same is also true
of the Cessna 140 with its steerable tailwheel - once again, the linkage
is a spring and it needs a little help to make a 90 degree turn
on most GA airport taxiways.
We're not talking about nailing a brake and gunning an engine,
merely briefly applying brake to help the nose (or tailwheel)
turn enough to make the bend.

Got a few examples of such turns at specific airports you'd
like to share?

Any airport smaller than an air carrier airport, generally - i.e
with narrow taxiways and 90 degree bends instead of high-speed
turnoffs. Pinckneyville Du Quoin is one that we are both familiar
with which I should imagine will need at least a brake dab
to swing around into the tie-down spot. Certainly needed it in
the C140. Houston Gulf (sadly, now deceased) definitely needed
some brake to make the 90 degree turns in the taxiway - the taxiway
was only about 25 ft wide.

--
Dylan Smith, Castletown, Isle of Man
Flying: http://www.dylansmith.net
Frontier Elite Universe: http://www.alioth.net
"Maintain thine airspeed, lest the ground come up and smite thee"