Section 7
Columbia 400 (LC41-550FG)
Description of the Airplane and Systems
Initial Issue of Manual: November 10, 2004
RC050002
Latest Revision Level/Date: -/11-10-2004
7-17
Step (Installed)
– On each side of the airplane there is an entrance step mounted to the fuselage
and located aft of the flaps. The entrance step is used for access to the airplane; however, the
flaps cannot be stepped on during ingress and egress operations. Placing weight on the top of the
flaps imposes unnatural loads on the control’s surface and hardware and may cause damage.
Both flaps are placarded with the words “No Step.”
Step (Not Installed)
– Some owners prefer to not have the step installed since it lowers cruise
speed by about two knots. Some of these owners may prefer to carry a small step ladder/stool to
assist passengers in entering and exiting the airplane. The pilot must, in this instance, enter and
exit the airplane without the use of a portable device. If a portable step is not used, it is
recommended that entering and exiting the airplane be made from the front of the wing. The
easiest method of ingress or egress is to sit on the wing facing forward and then stand up.
Handles –
Optional fuselage handles are available with some aircraft to assist entering the
aircraft. The handles are located behind the passenger windows. Do not hang or otherwise put
your full weight on the handles.
BRAKE SYSTEM
The airplane braking system is hydraulically operated by a dedicated braking system. Each
rudder pedal has a brake master cylinder built into it. Depressing the top portion of the rudder
pedals translates this pressure into hydraulic pressure. This pressure is transmitted through a
series of hard aluminum and steel grade Teflon lines to pistons in the brake housing of each
brake. The piston activates the brake calipers that apply friction to the chrome steel discs. Each
disc is connected to a wheel on the main landing gear, and when the caliper clamps onto the disc,
it creates friction, which impedes its rotation. Since the disc is part of the wheel, the friction on
the disc slows or stops the forward momentum of the airplane.
Parking Brake
– The parking brake is near the floor, forward of the circuit breaker panel on the
pilot’s side of the airplane. When disengaged, the handle is flush with the side panel. The black
handle is placarded with the red lettered statement, “Brake Engaged,” which is only visible when
the brake is engaged. To operate, apply and maintain brake pressure to both brakes, and move
the parking brake control 90
°
clockwise by grasping the forward portion of the handle. Once the
parking brake handle is set, release pressure on the brake pedals.
Moving the parking brake control to the “On” position causes a valve to close the line between
the master cylinders and the parking brake. The pressure introduced by the foot pedals before the
brake was set is maintained in the system between the parking brake handle and the brake
housing. To release the parking brake, apply pressure to the brake pedals, and move the parking
brake selector 90
°
counterclockwise or back to the flush position. When the parking brake is on,
the position of the handle restricts access to the left rudder pedal and limits inadvertent operation
with the parking brake system engaged.