Definition
A wheel brake system operated by pressing the heels downward against separate brake pedals located on the cockpit floor, below and behind the rudder pedals. Each heel pedal controls the brake on the corresponding main landing gear wheel, allowing independent braking for steering and stopping on the ground.
Plain English
Brakes you apply by pressing down with your heels on small pedals on the floor, instead of with your toes on the top of the rudder pedals. Left heel works the left wheel brake, right heel works the right wheel brake.
Context Anchor
Seen in landing gear and brake system descriptions, especially for older or simpler airplanes that may not have toe brakes.
Why Pilots Care
They let the pilot brake without lifting feet off the rudder pedals, preserving directional control during taxi and landing.
Intuition Check
Do not think of heel brakes as a different kind of brake on the wheel. They are a different cockpit control method for applying the airplane’s wheel brakes.
Example Sentence 1
The Piper Cub uses heel brakes, so the pilot pressed down with the heel of each foot to slow the airplane during taxi.
Example Sentence 2
While taxiing to the hangar, the student used both heel brakes to slow the aircraft smoothly.