Aircraft Brakes
Along with landing gear, aircraft wheels and brakes serve vital functions for safe and reliable ground operations during takeoff, landing and taxiing. They are subject to extreme forces, stress, as well as wear and tear from general operation and the environment.
The primary purpose of aircraft wheel brakes is to decelerate and stop an aircraft by transforming the kinetic energy into heat energy via friction and dissipation of heat to the surroundings. Their secondary function is to hold the aircraft stationary during the engine’s run-up and, in many cases, steer the aircraft during taxi. Aircraft brakes are arranged in multiple disk pairs, which are commonly referred to as brake Heat Sink. As brakes convert the kinetic energy of the moving aircraft into heat energy, they are also referred to as Heat Packs.
Steel brakes were used for years as standard in the aviation sector. Since the 1980s, they are replaced with carbon brakes. Steel brakes are relatively heavy and can only withstand temperatures up to 2,000°C (3,600°F). In addition, they must be replaced after an average of 1,000 landings. Carbon brakes consist an alternative to steel brakes. In carbon brakes, the friction is produced by carbon fibre discs resulting in a higher energy absorption capability than the conventional metal (steel) brakes.
Originally used in high-performance military aircraft, carbon brakes are today used on many commercial airplanes (particularly on larger, long-haul commercial ones). They are considerably lighter than steel brakes (resulting in less fuel consumption and lower CO2 emission by the engines), they exhibit a higher energy absorption capability, have a longer life span, lower maintenance costs and an improved performance (withstanding temperatures of up to 3,000°C (5,400°F) while their service life is longer, 2,000 landings on average). All these positively affect aircraft operating economics and thus they are increasingly used in newer aircraft and retrofits justifying their higher cost compared to those of steel or powder metallurgy brakes.
Sourced from quality manufacturers, both steel and carbon heat packs are offered as part of our own labelled (AVIATIONEU NEW ERA) product lines. They are PMA approved (*) by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) for use on an extensive list of Western and Eastern commercial (civil ) aircraft platforms including Boeing, Airbus, McDonnell Douglas, Ilyushin and others. They are offered in an extensive product range and consist cost effective alternatives equalling or exceeding standards of the respective OEM products while featuring high quality, safety, improved design, significant cost savings and fast deliveries. These steel and carbon heat packs have been installed in aircraft operating by different air transport operators in China and other countries in the Middle-East, South and Central Asia and Africa.
Typically PMA steel and carbon brake discs and parts can be offered for the following aircraft models and versions as replacements for respective OEM parts from Honeywell Aerospace, Goodrich Wheels & Brakes, Meggitt Aircraft Braking Systems and Safran Landing Systems (formerly Messier-Bugatti-Dowty). :
Steel Brake Disks and Parts
Boeing: B737-200/300/400/500, B737-300/400/500, B737-600/700/800, B737-700/800/900/BBJ, B757-200, B767-200
McDonnell Douglas: MD82
Ilyushin: IL86
Carbon Brake Disks and Parts
Airbus: A318/A319/A320, A321, A330
Boeing: B737-700/800/900/BBJ
McDonnell Douglas: MD90
For additional information and quotation please contact us.
(*) Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA) is a combined design and production approval granted by a competent Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to a manufacturer of aircraft parts for modification and replacement.
