With differential braking used for steering, the nosewheel can deflect up to what angle?

With differential braking used for steering, the nosewheel can deflect up to what angle?

• A. 10°
• B. 20°
• C. 45°
• D. 30°

Answer: (D)

The key idea is how ground steering is limited on a light airplane. When you steer on the ground using differential braking, the nosewheel is steered only up to a fixed angle to keep turns controllable and prevent tire scrubbing or gear interference. For the Cessna 152, that limit is about 30 degrees to either side. So you can steer by braking the left and right mains, and the nosewheel will align with the turn up to roughly 30 degrees, giving a usable turning radius without overstressing the nose gear. The other angles would either be too small to provide effective steering at taxi speeds or too large for safe operation.

The key idea is how ground steering is limited on a light airplane. When you steer on the ground using differential braking, the nosewheel is steered only up to a fixed angle to keep turns controllable and prevent tire scrubbing or gear interference. For the Cessna 152, that limit is about 30 degrees to either side. So you can steer by braking the left and right mains, and the nosewheel will align with the turn up to roughly 30 degrees, giving a usable turning radius without overstressing the nose gear. The other angles would either be too small to provide effective steering at taxi speeds or too large for safe operation.