Why do aircraft have two brake pedals instead of one? If each pedal controls different sets of wheels e.g. the left wheels and the right wheels of the main gear, is that not a safety flaw given that at any point in time, it is impossible for the pilot to apply an equal amount of pressure to the brakes?
Isn't ABS enough to the point that only one pedal is enough?
Finally do both captain and pilot step on the brakes at landing? If not then why have two pedals?
In an aircraft the brake pedals control the respective side brakes. This allows for the pilot to turn the aircraft not only with the pivoting nose wheel (if it has one) but also with the brakes. This allows for a very tight turning radius.
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If each pedals controls different sets of wheels eg the left wheels and the right wheels of the main gear, is that not a safety flaw rather than measure given that at any point in time,
It is by design to allow for the tight turning. Some smaller aircraft also do not have a steerable nose wheel so differential braking is the only option.
it is impossible for the pilot to apply an equal amount of pressure to the brakes?
Pushing equally on each toe pedal will result in equal brake operation.
Isn't ABS enough to the point that only one pedal is enough.
The pedals allow for brake steering which a single pedal would prevent. Airplanes also do have ABS but that simply prevents the tires from skidding.
Finally do both captain and pilot step on the brakes at landing. IF not then why have two pedals?
Im not sure, when I fly with an instructor or co-pilot in smaller planes only one person operates the brakes.
The left pedal is for brake(s) on the left side of the aircraft only, and likewise the right pedal for the right side.
We use two pedals because it is common where differential braking are applied, in other words different amount of braking on the two sides of the aircraft.
This is handy for maneuvering the aircraft around corners. For example if the plane needs to be turned to the left 90 degrees to enter a taxiway, and the length of the fuselage is long, applying left brake during the turn can reduce the turn radius, making it possible to turn without the outer set of wheels running onto the grass.
During a normal landing rollout, equal amount of pressure is applied to both pedals. The difference between both pedals caused by human application is minimal and does not have an observable effect.
Usually, only the pilot flying would be operating the controls, therefore only the pilot flying would apply the brake pedals. Except in an emergency where stopping distance is critical, the pilot monitoring may apply pressure to his own pedals to ensure maximum braking is achieved.
Note also, the pedals are used to swing the rudder to the right and left, to yaw the aircraft, so two pedals are already there. It then makes perfect sense to split the brakes for all the above reasons.
If not then why have two pedals?. This answers it.
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To add to the correct answer: two brake pedals allow for differential braking to steer the aircraft when it is on the ground
In light planes, differential braking eliminates the need for a steerable nose wheel. Instead, the nose gear simply casters, rotates as differential braking alters the path of the aircraft while in taxi. This makes for a much simpler and lighter nose wheel, plus no linkage to a wheel in the cockpit. With aircraft, simple is good. Simple doesn't go wrong as often as complex.
In heavy aircraft that usually have a steerable nose wheel, differential braking takes a lot of stress off of the nose wheel. Steering a heavy aircraft with the nose wheel alone puts a lot of angular stress on it. Heavy aircraft are, well, heavy. If all steering was done with the nose wheel, it would need to be beefed up to handle that, on top of being retractable. Differential braking on a heavy aircraft makes for a lighter nose gear arrangement.
