Can anyone tell me whether in the real-world Jetstream 4100, the toe brakes need to be held down while setting the parking brake or only the lever needs to be pulled ?

I can't speak for all aircraft in aviation however, only those I'm familiar with the parking brake on aircraft don't work like a cars parking break. All they do is just "hold" the pressure built in the brake lines from pressing the toe pedals. Therefore to set a parking brake, you must apply pressure to the toe pedals, pull the handle, then release the pedals. The pedals will return to their original position however the pressure built in the lines will remain thus keeping the plane parked. 

 

 

Therefore to set a parking brake, you must apply pressure to the toe pedals, pull the handle, then release the pedals. The pedals will return to their original position however the pressure built in the lines will remain thus keeping the plane parked.

Thanks Cameron, I am aware of that principle and have managed to simulate it on my home rig for the NGX but I was wondering if the same applies to the JS4100.  If it does, I can simulate it to add to the realism but otherwise I'd just use the parking brake lever.

Thanks Cameron, I am aware of that principle and have managed to simulate it on my home rig for the NGX but I was wondering if the same applies to the JS4100.  If it does, I can simulate it to add to the realism but otherwise I'd just use the parking brake lever.

According to the manuals available at www.smartcockpit.com the parking brake is part of the emergency braking system, supplied by brake accumulator pressure.  Pulling the handle will apply the brakes, either in an emergency or for parking, no need to press the pedals as well. The park brake handle is held in place by a mechanical ratchet system, the further it's pulled the more pressure is applied.  This is quite unlike the Boeing style of parking brake where the parking brake lever basically locks the pedals in a deflected position, as well as closing off the brake return line.

 

Well worth a visit to that web site to download a wide selection of manuals for the J41.

Many thanks Kevin, that answers my question :clapping:.  I'll check out the smartcockpit website too.

The parking brake on the dash-8 is similar to this. However the normal and parking/emergency brake are run by different hydraulic systems. Because of this, how immediate tyghe emergency brakes are, the lack of anti-skid on the emergency brake and the sudden release of brake pressure when the parking brake is released we always hold the toe brakes when setting and releasing the parking brake.