After taxiing a nosewheel-type aircraft, the nosewheel should be left

• A. unlocked and pointed straight ahead
• B. turned at a small angle uphill if the parking area is not perfectly flat
• C. pointed straight ahead
• D. left unlocked

Answer: (C)

Keep the nosewheel pointed straight ahead when you’re finished taxiing. Centering the nose gear in line with the fuselage and the runway centerline minimizes tire scrubbing and reduces side loads on the nose gear as the aircraft settles or if there’s any wind or slope. It also makes the aircraft easier to handle next time you move it, since the steering is neutral and aligned with the aircraft’s footprint. Leaving the nosewheel unlocked or at a turned angle can allow the wheel to wander and cause unnecessary wear or unexpected movement, and there’s no safety advantage to turning it uphill or at any angle.