Ground Control; Wing Flap System - Cessna SKYHAWK 1976 Pilot Operating Handbook

CESSNA SECTION 7
MODEL 172M
AIRPLANE
&
SYSTEMS DESCRIPTIONS
and controls on this panel, refer in this section to the description of the
systems to which these items are related.
GROUND CONTROL
Effective ground control while taxiing is accomplished through nose
wheel steering by using the rudder pedals; left rudder pedal to steer left
and right rudder pedal to steer right. When a rudder pedal is depressed,
a spring-loaded steering bungee (which is connected to the nose gear and
to the rudder bars) will turn the nose wheel through an arc of approxi­
mately 10° each side of center. By applying either left or right brake,
the degree of turn may be increased up to 30° each side of center.
Moving the airplane by hand is most easily accomplished by attaching
a tow bar to the nose gear strut. If a tow bar is not available, or pushing
is required, use the wing struts as push points. Do not use the vertical
or horizontal surfaces to move the airplane. If the airplane is to be towed
by vehicle, never turn the nose wheel more than 30° either side
of
center
or structural damage to the nose gear could result.
The minimum turning radius of the airplane, using differential brak­
ing and nose wheel steering during taxi, is approximately 27 feet 5 1/2
inches. To obtain a minimum radius turn during ground handling, the
airplane may be rotated around either main landing gear by pressing down
on a tailcone bulkhead just forward of the horizontal stabilizer to raise the
nose wheel off the ground.
WING FLAP SYSTEM
The wing flaps are of the single-slot type (see figure 7-3) and are
electrically operated by a motor located in the right wing. Flap position
is controlled by a switch, labeled WING FLAPS, on the lower center por­
tion of the instrument panel. Flap position is electrically indicated by a
wing flap position indicator on the right side of the panel.
To extend the wing flaps, the flap switch, which is spring-loaded to
the center, or off, pOSition, must be depressed and held in the DOWN
position until the desired degree of extension is reached. Normal full
flap extension in flight will require approximately 9 seconds. After the
flaps reach maximum extension or retraction, limit switches will auto­
matically shut off the flap motor.
To retract the flaps, place the flap switch in the UP position. The
switch will remain in the UP pOSition without manual assistance due to a
7-9