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A captain reported that suggestions from check airmen and chief pilots to move the rudder pedals full forward as a courtesy to the next pilot were causing mechanical delays when the pedals couldn't be repositioned as desired.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 863347 |
| Time | |
| Date | 200912 |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | B737 Undifferentiated or Other Model |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 121 |
| Flight Phase | Parked |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Component | |
| Aircraft Component | Rudder Pedal |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Captain |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy |
Narrative:
Three days in a row when the first officer and I took over an aircraft; he was unable to adjust his rudder pedals due to the previous pilot running them full forward. Some chief pilots and check airmen have directed pilots to run the rudder pedals full forward when terminating/leaving an aircraft out of 'professional courtesy'. Unfortunately; I saw three instances where the first officer could not adjust his rudder pedals at all. In two instances we were at a maintenance base and a mechanic had to come out and get the pedals loose. In the third case we were not at a maintenance base; but the first officer felt that he could get full throw of the rudders with his seat pulled considerably (uncomfortably) forward. The mechanic said he is seeing a lot of this and can't understand why pilots are running the pedals full forward. He said the cables are subject to breakage if the adjusting crank is turned too hard and repair of the cables is difficult and time consuming. It was very frustrating being distracted and delayed by something so ill advised. Pilots should leave the rudder pedals where they are when terminating or turning the aircraft over to another crew. If rudder pedal adjustment is needed; then obviously the next pilot will make it. There is no good reason for management pilots to direct pilots to run the rudder pedals full forward.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: A Captain reported that suggestions from Check Airmen and Chief Pilots to move the rudder pedals full forward as a courtesy to the next pilot were causing mechanical delays when the pedals couldn't be repositioned as desired.
Narrative: Three days in a row when the First Officer and I took over an aircraft; he was unable to adjust his rudder pedals due to the previous pilot running them full forward. Some Chief Pilots and Check Airmen have directed pilots to run the rudder pedals full forward when terminating/leaving an aircraft out of 'professional courtesy'. Unfortunately; I saw three instances where the First Officer could not adjust his rudder pedals at all. In two instances we were at a Maintenance Base and a Mechanic had to come out and get the pedals loose. In the third case we were not at a Maintenance Base; but the First Officer felt that he could get full throw of the rudders with his seat pulled considerably (uncomfortably) forward. The Mechanic said he is seeing a lot of this and can't understand why Pilots are running the pedals full forward. He said the cables are subject to breakage if the adjusting crank is turned too hard and repair of the cables is difficult and time consuming. It was very frustrating being distracted and delayed by something so ill advised. Pilots should leave the rudder pedals where they are when terminating or turning the aircraft over to another crew. If rudder pedal adjustment is needed; then obviously the next Pilot will make it. There is no good reason for management pilots to direct pilots to run the rudder pedals full forward.
Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.