The brake system of an airplane is quite technical and robust because it needs to be stopped safely while landing on the ground at very high speed. Airplane brakes are very different from car brakes, as they involve technologies other than traditional wheel brakes. Let us know how airplane brakes work.
wheel brake system
Airplane wheels use disc brake systems, similar to those in cars, but much more powerful and consisting of multiple sets of discs. These brakes are called carbon brakes, which are light and capable of withstanding extreme temperatures.
When the plane touches the runway during landing, the pilot activates the wheel brakes, which creates disc friction and slows the plane. The brakes are operated by the pressure of hydraulic fluids, providing greater braking power.
reverse thrust brake
After landing, a special technology is used in the aircraft engine which is called reverse thrust. In this, the power of the engine is diverted backwards so that the speed of the aircraft can be reduced rapidly. This is similar to putting a car in reverse gear, but it uses airflow instead of gears. Reverse thrust can reduce the speed of the aircraft by about 60%, which also reduces the pressure on the wheel brakes and allows it to slow down safely.
spoilers
Spoilers are flaps that are attached to the wings and raise during landing. Their job is to reduce the lift of the aircraft, due to which the weight of the aircraft falls more on the wheels and helps in making braking effective. Due to spoilers, air pressure also reduces and the aircraft slows down rapidly.
autobrake system
Airplanes have an autobrake system that controls the intensity of the brakes applied by the pilot. The pilot sets the autobrake even before landing so that the brakes start working automatically at the time of landing. This system adjusts the braking power according to different landing conditions such as strong wind, slippery runway etc.
anti-lock braking system
Airplanes also have anti-lock braking system, which prevents the wheels from locking. This helps prevent the wheels from slipping, especially on wet or icy runways. Due to ABS, there is constant control over the wheels and the aircraft remains balanced, which reduces the chances of an accident.
