Definition
Foot-operated controls in the cockpit, mounted at the top of the rudder pedals, that activate the wheel brakes on the main landing gear. Pressing the top of the left rudder pedal applies the left main wheel brake, and pressing the top of the right rudder pedal applies the right main wheel brake. They are used to slow the airplane during the landing rollout, control taxi speed, hold the airplane stationary during runup, and assist with directional control on the ground through differential braking.
Plain English
The pedals you press with the tops of your feet to slow or stop the airplane on the ground. There is one for each main wheel, so you can brake one side more than the other to help steer.
Context Anchor
You encounter brake pedals during taxi, landing rollout, and any ground operation where the airplane must slow, stop, or maintain direction.
Derivation
Brake comes from an older word meaning to break or slow motion. Pedal comes from a Latin word for foot. Together, brake pedals are the foot controls used to slow the airplane’s wheels.
Why Pilots Care
Correct and timely use prevents runway overruns and allows directional control when stopping.
Intuition Check
Do not think of brake pedals exactly like a car’s single brake pedal. In many airplanes, the left and right brakes can be applied separately, and they are used only when the airplane is on the ground.
Example Sentence 1
After touchdown, the pilot lowered the nosewheel and applied gentle, even pressure on the brake pedals to slow the airplane during the landing roll.
Example Sentence 2
During taxi the student used differential brake pedal pressure to make a tight turn onto the ramp.