Definition
The practice of resting the feet on the brake pedals and applying continuous light pressure while taxiing, rather than keeping the toes clear of the brakes and using them only when needed to slow or stop the airplane. Riding the brakes adds drag that the pilot then compensates for with extra engine power, causing unnecessary brake wear, heat buildup, and increased fuel use.
Plain English
Keeping your feet pressed lightly on the brakes the whole time you're taxiing, instead of only using them when you actually need to slow down or stop.
Context Anchor
You will encounter this during taxiing, especially when learning where to place your feet on the rudder pedals and how to control taxi speed.
Derivation
From the everyday phrase used in driving: a driver who keeps a foot on the brake pedal while moving is said to be 'riding' it, the way a person rides a horse by sitting on it continuously. The aviation usage carries the same image — the foot stays on the pedal instead of resting elsewhere.
Why Pilots Care
Continuous brake application generates heat that can reduce brake effectiveness on landing, increase wear, and lead to longer stopping distances.
Intuition Check
Do not read this as simply having your feet ready near the brakes. Riding the brakes means actually pressing them when that pressure is not needed.
Example Sentence 1
The instructor noticed the student was riding the brakes during taxi and reminded him to rest his heels on the floor with his toes off the pedals.
Example Sentence 2
Avoid riding the brakes on long taxi routes by using idle power and light steering inputs to keep speed under control.