In which scenario might a pilot choose manual braking rather than relying on auto braking?

• A. If auto brake is unavailable, insufficient, or for non-standard landing situations.
• B. Only when auto braking fails completely.
• C. In all standard landings.
• D. When parking brake is set.

Answer: (A)

Auto braking provides a consistent deceleration profile during the landing roll, but there are times when it isn’t available or appropriate, so the pilot takes control manually.

If the auto braking system is unavailable or not functioning for any reason, you’d rely on manual braking to ensure the airplane stops safely within the available runway. Even when it’s available, auto braking may not provide enough deceleration for certain conditions—such as a heavy airplane on a long, slippery, or contaminated runway, or a non-standard landing where you want more direct, hands-on control of deceleration and braking pressure. In these cases, the pilot can optimize deceleration with manual brakes, using other stopping tools like reverse thrust as needed.

Other options aren’t as accurate because standard landings are commonly handled with autobrake, and the parking brake is used after landing and parking, not during the landing rollout. Saying it’s used only when autobrake fails completely ignores the scenario where autobrake is available but insufficient or not suitable for a non-standard landing.