When towing an aircraft with a steerable nose wheel, what torque link lock setting is required?

When towing an aircraft with a steerable nose wheel, what torque link lock setting is required?

• A. Full swivel
• B. Locked
• C. Partial
• D. Off

Answer: (A)

When a nose wheel is steerable, the torque link lock setting controls how freely the nose gear can steer while the aircraft is on the ground. For towing, you want the nose wheel to track the tow vehicle smoothly without being forced into a straight line. Setting the torque links to full swivel releases the steering lock and allows the nose wheel to rotate through its full range, so it can follow the towbar and vehicle easily. Locking or partially locking the torque links would restrict steering and can put abnormal loads on the gear and towbar during turns, and an “off” setting wouldn’t guarantee the wheel has the needed freedom to steer. After towing, return the lock to the normal operating setting per the aircraft’s procedures.

When a nose wheel is steerable, the torque link lock setting controls how freely the nose gear can steer while the aircraft is on the ground. For towing, you want the nose wheel to track the tow vehicle smoothly without being forced into a straight line. Setting the torque links to full swivel releases the steering lock and allows the nose wheel to rotate through its full range, so it can follow the towbar and vehicle easily. Locking or partially locking the torque links would restrict steering and can put abnormal loads on the gear and towbar during turns, and an “off” setting wouldn’t guarantee the wheel has the needed freedom to steer. After towing, return the lock to the normal operating setting per the aircraft’s procedures.