Brake System - Textron Cessna Grand Caravan Ex 208B Pilot's Operating Handbook And Faa Approved Airplane Flight Manual

SECTION 7 CESSNA
AIRPLANE AND SYSTEMS DESCRIPTION MODEL 208B 867 SHP
GARMIN G1000

BRAKE SYSTEM

The airplane has a single-disc, hydraulically-actuated brake on each
main landing gear wheel. Each brake is connected, by a hydraulic line,
to a master cylinder attached to each of the pilot's rudder pedals. The
brakes are operated by applying pressure to the top of either the left
(pilot's) or right (copilot's) set of rudder pedals, which are
interconnected. When the airplane is parked, both main wheel brakes
may be set by utilizing the parking brake which is operated by a handle
below to the right of the pilot's control wheel. To apply the parking
brake, set the brakes with the rudder pedals and pull the handle aft. To
release the parking brake, push the handle fully in.
A brake fluid reservoir, located just forward of the firewall on the left
side of the engine compartment, provides additional brake fluid for the
brake master cylinders. The fluid in the reservoir should be checked for
proper level prior to each flight.
For maximum brake life, keep the brake system properly maintained.
Airplanes are equipped with metallic type brakes, and require a special
brake burn-in before delivery (or after brake replacement). When
conditions permit, hard brake application is beneficial in that the
resulting higher brake temperatures tend to maintain proper brake
glazing and will prolong the expected brake life. Conversely, the
habitual use of light and conservative brake application is detrimental to
metallic brakes.
Some of the symptoms of impending brake failure are: gradual
decrease in braking action after brake application, noisy or dragging
brakes, soft or spongy pedals, and excessive travel and weak braking
action. If any of these symptoms appear, the brake system is in need of
immediate attention. If, during taxi or landing roll, braking action
decreases, let up on the pedals and then re-apply the brakes with
heavy pressure. If the brakes become spongy or pedal travel
increases, pumping the pedals should build braking pressure. If one
brake becomes weak or fails, use the other brake sparingly while using
opposite rudder, as required, to offset the good brake.
7-88 208BPHCUS-00
U.S.