When brake operation is checked during taxiing, which of the following is primarily assessed?

During taxiing, the primary focus is on assessing brake functionality. This involves checking that the brakes respond appropriately when engaged and can reliably stop the aircraft as needed. Pilots will typically test the brakes by applying them at various speeds, ensuring that they can handle normal operations and emergency situations effectively. Braking performance is crucial for safety, especially during taxiing when different surface conditions may affect how the aircraft responds.

While brake fluid level, temperature, and alignment are important aspects of overall brake system maintenance, they are not typically assessed in a routine taxi check. Brake fluid level checks are generally done during pre-flight inspections, temperature assessments are more related to prolonged braking during descent, and alignment issues can be evaluated during maintenance inspections rather than in normal taxi operations. Therefore, assessing functionality during taxi is critical to confirm that the brakes are ready for safe operations before takeoff.