Can anyone tell me how they steered the plane while taxiing for takeoff, neither pilot nor copilot has hand on the wheel. Is the nose gear steered some other way? Thanks
There are 2 ways airplanes are steered on the ground, but I don't KNOW which one the B-29 uses.
The first way is via the rudder pedals. They turn the rudder and the nose wheel. Press the right rudder pedal, and the nose wheel turns right. Adding braking (which also uses the rudder pedals, you press the top of the pedal to apply brakes) on the same side as you're turning tightens the turn. This is how my airplane turned (I have a pilot's license and used to own an airplane). The pilot seems to be using his feet during the taxi, so it would appear to be how he is steering, rather than using the second method.
Larger planes also have what is called a tiller wheel, which is the second method. It's a small steering wheel, usually between the pilot and copilot (so either can reach it). It allows sharper turns on the nose wheel than the rudder pedals provide. So when moving slowly and needing to turn sharply, they use the tiller wheel. For small adjustments, such as during takeoff and landing, they use the rudder pedals. We can't see the pilot's left hand during most of taxi, so it is possible there's a tiller wheel to his left he is using, but based on what I saw, I think he's steering using rudder pedal and brakes.
The handle by the pilots right hip is called a Tiller. It will steer the plane at low speeds. During takeoff the plane is steered with the rudders, foot pedals, which also applies a bias to the front wheels.
The B29 has a free-floating nose wheel. On the ground at speeds below about 60 knots the beast is steered with asymmetric thrust from the props. This may be handled by the flight engineer rather than the pilot or co-pilot. The flight engineering station, on the right behind the copilot has a full set of throttle and mixture controls, in addition to many, many other things. Once a speed of about 60 knots is reached, there's enough air flowing past the rudder that it becomes effective. I learned this many years ago when I had the opportunity to visit B29 Fifi ... FWIW, Doc's restoration crew leaned heavily on the CAF (who maintains Fifi) for tips, tricks, etc. One thing is for sure .. the routing of the exhaust pipes and configuration of the engine cowlings are custom on those two planes as the original B29 config was very prone to overheating and also engine fires.
For those who are truly B29 geeks, both Fifi and Doc are frequently together every summer at Air Venture in Oshkosh Wisconsin.
A factoid I came across a number of years ago. the reason why the B 29 was not painted was that painting one would add 6 pounds of weight to the aircraft and that was deemed as wasteful.
Thanks! Appreciate the ride. Thats a big bird, and the size of the props, you can sense takes a lot to bank and turn. It sure has a spacious cockpit! One lick of hard work they did getting it into such pristine condition.
A woman who helped build that airplane back in the day also was a volunteer during the restoration, and is still alive and kicking in Wichita, last I knew. She goes in for a visit once in a while or so I've been told.
agreed those things are very cool and historically interesting. Do not trust your life to a war bird; Look at them sit in them while they’re on the ground Marvel at their wondrous sights and sounds but do not Take a ride in one of those damn things.
A photo history of where the two flyable B-29s came from. Also where I was born 68 years ago, courtesy of the United States Navy: http://www.chinalakealumni.org/B-29/B29mo.htm
Boy, don’t you know what a blast that would be to fly in.
ReplyDeleteDon you know that would be a blast to fly in?
ReplyDeleteI live right by ict and when doc is out flying you know it, it has a very unique sound that only it makes.
ReplyDeleteDoc, was in Tulsa several months ago, just couldn’t get there for a ride that day maybe next time.
ReplyDeleteCan anyone tell me how they steered the plane while taxiing for takeoff, neither pilot nor copilot has hand on the wheel. Is the nose gear steered some other way? Thanks
ReplyDeleteThere are 2 ways airplanes are steered on the ground, but I don't KNOW which one the B-29 uses.
DeleteThe first way is via the rudder pedals. They turn the rudder and the nose wheel. Press the right rudder pedal, and the nose wheel turns right. Adding braking (which also uses the rudder pedals, you press the top of the pedal to apply brakes) on the same side as you're turning tightens the turn. This is how my airplane turned (I have a pilot's license and used to own an airplane). The pilot seems to be using his feet during the taxi, so it would appear to be how he is steering, rather than using the second method.
Larger planes also have what is called a tiller wheel, which is the second method. It's a small steering wheel, usually between the pilot and copilot (so either can reach it). It allows sharper turns on the nose wheel than the rudder pedals provide. So when moving slowly and needing to turn sharply, they use the tiller wheel. For small adjustments, such as during takeoff and landing, they use the rudder pedals. We can't see the pilot's left hand during most of taxi, so it is possible there's a tiller wheel to his left he is using, but based on what I saw, I think he's steering using rudder pedal and brakes.
watch his foot/feet for a clue
DeleteSteer with rudder pedals when on the ground. Wheel is for ailerons and pitch.
DeleteSame question.
DeleteThe handle by the pilots right hip is called a Tiller. It will steer the plane at low speeds. During takeoff the plane is steered with the rudders, foot pedals, which also applies a bias to the front wheels.
DeleteFoot pedals steer on the ground, and the yoke steers in the air.
Deleterudder pedals also steer nose wheel,
Deleterudder pedals also steer nose wheel, i believe
DeleteThe B29 has a free-floating nose wheel. On the ground at speeds below about 60 knots the beast is steered with asymmetric thrust from the props. This may be handled by the flight engineer rather than the pilot or co-pilot. The flight engineering station, on the right behind the copilot has a full set of throttle and mixture controls, in addition to many, many other things. Once a speed of about 60 knots is reached, there's enough air flowing past the rudder that it becomes effective. I learned this many years ago when I had the opportunity to visit B29 Fifi ... FWIW, Doc's restoration crew leaned heavily on the CAF (who maintains Fifi) for tips, tricks, etc. One thing is for sure .. the routing of the exhaust pipes and configuration of the engine cowlings are custom on those two planes as the original B29 config was very prone to overheating and also engine fires.
DeleteFor those who are truly B29 geeks, both Fifi and Doc are frequently together every summer at Air Venture in Oshkosh Wisconsin.
Oh, how I wish I could afford a ride...
ReplyDeleteI've been following Doc on facebook for years. I would love to see it in person one day.
ReplyDeleteSuper Cool!!!!!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely riveting, seriously. How many rivets does that thing hold?
ReplyDeleteAmazing machine...
My father was on his way to the Pacific as bombardier in one of those when they dropped the 'big one'. He's a 101.
ReplyDeleteA factoid I came across a number of years ago. the reason why the B 29 was not painted was that painting one would add 6 pounds of weight to the aircraft and that was deemed as wasteful.
ReplyDeleteFish .. 6# .. doubt it. Maybe 600# ...
DeleteThanks! Appreciate the ride. Thats a big bird, and the size of the props, you can sense takes a lot to bank and turn. It sure has a spacious cockpit! One lick of hard work they did getting it into such pristine condition.
ReplyDeleteI just booked two tickets for a flight in Abilene on April 21 YAHOO
ReplyDelete'Reminds me of flying in a Coast Guard C-130. It's got even MORE glass in the nose! We used to call those birds "Red Tail Airlines" in Kodiak, AK.
ReplyDeleteThere’s nothing like the sound of a WWII propeller engine. Jets are sleek and fast, but those old war birds had a soul.
ReplyDeleteA woman who helped build that airplane back in the day also was a volunteer during the restoration, and is still alive and kicking in Wichita, last I knew. She goes in for a visit once in a while or so I've been told.
ReplyDeleteNot very good visibility. who was working the throttles?
ReplyDeleteFlight Engineer, panel right side behind Co-Pilot
Deleteagreed those things are very cool and historically interesting.
ReplyDeleteDo not trust your life to a war bird; Look at them sit in them while they’re on the ground Marvel at their wondrous sights and sounds but do not Take a ride in one of those damn things.
I'm taking the ride. Bucket list.
DeleteA photo history of where the two flyable B-29s came from. Also where I was born 68 years ago, courtesy of the United States Navy: http://www.chinalakealumni.org/B-29/B29mo.htm
ReplyDelete