How do you steer a large aircraft (airliner) whilst on the ground?

Question

I know that the rudder pedals have a limited amount of control over it, but what is the 'tiller'?

Answer 1

The tiller resembles a small steering wheel or lever just to the left side of the instrument panel. Here are some pictures with a good shot of the tiller:

http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=1308018&WxsIERv=Ybpxurrq%20P-121P%20Fhcre%20Pbafgryyngvba%20%28Y-1049S%29&Wm=0&WdsYXMg=Oervgyvat%20%28Fhcre%20Pbafgryyngvba%20Sylref%29&QtODMg=Onfyr%20%2F%20Zhyubhfr%20-%20Rheb%20%28OFY%20%2F%20ZYU%20%2F%20YSFO%29&ERDLTkt=Senapr&ktODMp=Frcgrzore%2010%2C%202005&BP=1&WNEb25u=Gubznf%20A.S.%20Avrcry&xsIERvdWdsY=A73544&MgTUQtODMgKE=Cvybg%60f%20frng%20bs%20guvf%20ivagntr%20nvepensg.%20Na%20vzcerffvir%20zbzrag%20sbe%20zr%20%21%20Purpx%20gur%20Ybpxurrq%20ybtbf%20ba%20pbageby%20fgvpx%20naq%20ehoore%20ehqqre%20%21&YXMgTUQtODMgKERD=8&NEb25uZWxs=2007-12-21&ODJ9dvCE=&O89Dcjdg=1049S-4175&static=yes&width=1300&height=899&sok=%20BEQRE%20OL%20cubgb_vq%20QRFP&photo_nr=30&prev_id=1308030&next_id=1308000&tbl=COCKPIT
(Super Constellation - The obvious wheel on the left side)

http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=1308473&WxsIERv=Enlgurba%204000%20Unjxre%20Ubevmba&Wm=0&WdsYXMg=Hagvgyrq&QtODMg=Cnevf%20-%20Yr%20Obhetrg%20%28YOT%20%2F%20YSCO%29&ERDLTkt=Senapr&ktODMp=Whar%2018%2C%202007&BP=0&WNEb25u=Gvz%20qr%20Tebbg%20-%20NveGrnzVzntrf&xsIERvdWdsY=A15DF&MgTUQtODMgKE=Syvtugqrpx%20bs%20gur%20Unjxre%20Ubevmba%2C%20ba%20qvfcynl%20ng%20gur%20Fnyba.&YXMgTUQtODMgKERD=2&NEb25uZWxs=2007-12-22&ODJ9dvCE=&O89Dcjdg=EP-6&static=yes&width=1024&height=695&sok=%20BEQRE%20OL%20cubgb_vq%20QRFP&photo_nr=20&prev_id=1308610&next_id=1308344&tbl=COCKPIT
(Hawker Horizon - The handle on the left side in line and slightly forward of the front edge of the left seat)

http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=1304227&WxsIERv=Obrvat%20777-2M9%2FRE&Wm=1&WdsYXMg=Nhfgevna%20Nveyvarf&QtODMg=Ivraan%20-%20Fpujrpung%20%28IVR%20%2F%20YBJJ%29&ERDLTkt=Nhfgevn&ktODMp=Qrprzore%206%2C%202007&BP=0&WNEb25u=Treuneq%20Ilfbpna%20-%20Nivngvba%20Neg%20Cubgbtencul%20-%20INC&xsIERvdWdsY=BR-YCN&MgTUQtODMgKE=&YXMgTUQtODMgKERD=0&NEb25uZWxs=2007-12-12&ODJ9dvCE=&O89Dcjdg=28698%2F87&static=yes&width=1200&height=812&sok=%20BEQRE%20OL%20cubgb_vq%20QRFP&photo_nr=69&prev_id=1304410&next_id=1304116&tbl=COCKPIT
(Boeing 777 - The crank on the left side of the picture)

The tiller is usually hooked up to hydraulics that directly control the nose wheel steering. On all of the planes that I am familiar with, there is no direct connection between the rudder pedals and the nose wheel if the plane has a tiller. While taxiing, the tiller is the primary ground steering control. On takeoff and landing, the rudder is used for control at high speeds (the rudder is only effective if air is flowing over it) and the pilot takes over with the tiller at low speeds. The tiller is EXTREMELY sensitive, so as soon as the rudder is effective, that becomes the primary control. Some planes have a "fadeout" system that reduces the sensitivity of the nose wheel steering as the speed increases and the rudder becomes more effective for directional control.

Answer 2

The ATR is steered by a tiller on the left hand side, so only the captain can do the taxi-ing. At about 70 kts on the take off roll directional control can be by the rudders only. That's why when the co-pilots flying the controls get handed to him at round about that point. The ATR has very narrow undercarriage so it's important to keep the controls pointed into wind which is possibly what the F/O's doing, he could also be testing the controls or, as said, just be mucking about. John N, the ATR's do collect alot of ice, but they've been modified to make them more icing friendly. Alot of ATR's are flown around Europe even in their very cold winter, so this would indicate that the icing problems they had in that accident, about 15 years ago, have been rectified. Also the fact that they're pushing buttons and flicking switches until the take off roll doesn't mean the aircraft it self is dangerous. There are some things you only put on when entering the runway and when getting take off clearance.

Answer 3

Rudder Petals on the floor, they are also used for brakes

edit (I should have read the entire question)
and the tiller is a little that looks like a wheel that is used to control the nose wheel

Answer 4

With nose-wheel steering. The tiller controls the turn of the nose wheel from the flight-deck (cockpit) and is normally a small steering wheel .

Answer 5

Each tiller I've seen is a small steering wheel to the left of the captain.

Answer 6

At taxi speeds the nose wheel swivels to steer, just like Del-boy's reliant. At take-off and Landing speeds the nose wheel is fixed straight ahead and small corrections are made with the rudder

Answer 7

The tiller is a small lever located usually to the left of the captain's seat which he or she moves with his hand, this lever steers the nose-wheel to right or left.

Answer 8

By using a tiller

Answer 9

A tug can also steer the aircraft with a tow bar.

Answer 10

The L1011, uses a small wheel on the pilots left hand side, this turns the nose wheel.