Definition
A condition in which an aircraft's wheel brakes fail to fully release after brake pressure is removed, causing the brake linings or pads to remain in continuous light contact with the disc or drum. This produces unwanted friction, abnormal heat, accelerated wear of brake components, and noticeable resistance to wheel rotation during taxi or rollout.
Plain English
The brakes are still rubbing slightly even when you've taken your foot off the pedals. They never fully let go, so the wheel keeps fighting against them as it turns.
Context Anchor
Seen during taxi, after brake use, during maintenance troubleshooting, or when an aircraft pulls to one side while rolling on the ground.
Derivation
‘Drag’ here keeps its everyday sense of something being held back or pulled along reluctantly. A dragging brake is one that won't fully let go, so the wheel has to drag it along as it turns.
Why Pilots Care
Dragging brakes increase tire and brake wear, can overheat the brakes, reduce aircraft performance, and create directional control problems on the ground.
Analogy
Like driving a car with your foot resting lightly on the brake pedal so the car never rolls freely.
Intuition Check
Dragging brakes does not mean the brakes are loose or hanging down. It means the brakes are still rubbing when they should be fully released.
Example Sentence 1
The mechanic suspected dragging brakes after the pilot reported the aircraft pulling left during taxi and the left wheel feeling unusually warm after shutdown.
Example Sentence 2
After landing the student reported dragging brakes, so the mechanic inspected the calipers before the next flight.