Peter Dohm wrote:
Actually, I was taught that the parking brakes were essentially useless and
were difficult to set and worse to release; and AFAIK, I never did try
setting and releasing them.

I was taught to set the parking brake during the pre-flight. This meant
it couldn't roll after I untied it; the brake was released when I was
ready to taxi. It was set again during the run-up, and released, again,
when ready to taxi. Not as a substitute for keeping my feet firmly on the
brake pedals during the run-up, but as insurance in case I accidentally
lightened the pressure.

Interestingly, setting it was on the checklist, but releasing it wasn't.
It was pretty obvious when I forgot to release it.

.... Alan
--
Alan Gerber
PP-ASEL
gerber AT panix DOT com