Ground Steering

[PZL104]

@HalberQuacky

…if the steering switch is “off”, the nose wheel remains centered at all times…

… with the switch “on”, it is much easier to make a very sharp turn at slow taxi speeds, such as when making a 90 degree turn from a taxiway to line up on the runway.

…the real CRJ can be steered on the ground if the nose wheel steering fails, by using differential braking combined with differential engine thrust, but it would be considered a grounding item if it happens before takeoff.

With the steering switch off, the nosewheel is free castoring, which means it should not remain centered at all times!

With the steering off you can ‘theoretically’ make even tighter turns, but controllability is way easier with the steering on.

We did fly with an inop steering, but it’s no fun and taxiing in a strong crosswind is not easy.