Why are Aerospace Brakes Important?
Aviation has become synonymous with speed thanks to depictions in movies, video games, and other stories. There is no denying that speed is imperative for most forms of air travel. However, as important as speed is, there is something even more important: the ability to slow down. All the speed in the world is not worth anything if you can’t stop at the end of your flight. That is where the unsung heroes of flight come into play: the aerospace brakes.
What Engineering Considerations Need Made for Making Aerospace Brakes
Functional aerospace brakes are crucial when it comes to the building of a plane or spacecraft. However, even though they exist across the vehicle production spectrum, that does not mean all aerospace brakes are alike. Various considerations need to be made depending on certain factors.
Type of Aircraft
The make and model of the aircraft will determine the type of aerospace brakes necessary for a successful landing. A large cargo plane will need heavy-duty aerospace brakes to halt a massive aircraft traveling quickly. However, a fighter jet with a significantly smaller and nimble body will have different aerospace brake needs. The same can be true for all variations of aircraft, ranging from spacecraft to single-engine planes.
Consumer Needs
Even though all aircraft fly, the individual plane can provide service for various specific tasks. For example, small passenger aircraft can double as postal planes in certain areas. The plane’s determined use will make a difference in its outfitted equipment and, in some instances, the necessary braking apparatuses.
Materials Used
Different materials may be required when manufacturing brakes for any aerospace project. From R&D to manufacturing, the materials used will vary based on the type of component or aircraft being manufactured. Aircraft disc brakes require rubber or latex components to operate the hydraulic aspects, while speed brakes located on wings will be manufactured from the same composites as the wings, spoilers, or flaps.
How Do the Brakes Interact with Other Parts of the Aircraft
Landing Gear
The landing gear is one of the most pivotal aspects of any aerospace design. It is a complex piece of machinery that requires the integration and synchronization of various components; any failure of these components could result in a crash. The landing gear is deployed during the descent of an aircraft to allow the wheels to come into contact with the ground. Once the wheels have begun spinning on the ground, the aerospace brakes are then activated to slow the vehicle. They apply friction and pressure to the apparatus to reduce the high speed of the wheels to the point where the plane can stop safely.
Wings
Speed brakes are an important part when altering the speed of a plane or other aircraft. Panels, spolers and flaps can be built into the wing to slow down the plane while in the air or to lower overall speed for any required maneuvers. Speed brakes catch the wind and produce a negative force proportional to the speed of the plane going in the opposite direction. This will work to slow down the plane, effectively acting as another brake.
Cockpit
The cockpit is instrumental for most of the plane’s functions. It serves as a control center for all the operations required for flight. From here, the speed brakes can be deployed, the landing gear lowered, the brakes against the wheels, and, in some cases, drag chutes released. The pilot orchestrates everything from the cockpit.
Pull Out All the Stops with Parts Built by NMG
Aerospace brakes are a critical part of any air or spacecraft. However, they are not the only ones. Every aircraft component must meet expectations and spec requirements to achieve successful and safe flights. NMG Aerospace has manufactured aerospace brakes and other components for over 50 years – contact us today to pull out all the stops on your aerospace designs.
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