Definition
The capacity of a landing gear arrangement, particularly the nosewheel or tailwheel, to steer the airplane on the ground by directing the wheel in the desired direction of travel. Turning authority depends on how much the steerable wheel can deflect, how firmly it grips the surface, and how effectively pilot inputs (rudder pedals, differential braking, or a steering linkage) translate into a change of heading.
Plain English
How much steering control the airplane has on the ground — in other words, how well it can actually turn when the pilot tells it to.
Context Anchor
Encountered in landing gear and ground-handling discussions, especially when describing nosewheel steering, tailwheel steering, and braking during taxi, takeoff, and landing rollout.
Derivation
‘Authority’ here is used the same way pilots already use it in ‘control authority’ — meaning the ability of a control to actually produce the result the pilot wants. ‘Turning authority’ simply applies that idea to ground steering.
Why Pilots Care
Limited turning authority increases the risk of runway excursions or loss of directional control, especially on slippery surfaces or with crosswinds.
Intuition Check
Authority does not mean legal permission here. It means control effectiveness: how much ability the airplane has to turn when the pilot gives a steering or braking input.
Example Sentence 1
On a slick taxiway, the nosewheel lost turning authority and the airplane kept sliding straight ahead despite full rudder input.
Example Sentence 2
During the crosswind landing rollout, the pilot used full rudder to maintain turning authority until the nosewheel touched down.