Aircraft anti-skid System Certification and Regulation - Research Paper Example

It also maintains steering and aircraft stability in order to control the wheel from skidding which often the cause of aircraft accidents. Skidding of wheels in aircraft is closely monitored because of the many risks it takes when neglected. Skidding can reduce the braking efficiency which will result to locking of wheels, bursting of tyres and possible serious damage to the aircraft locked-up wheels. And these posed serious fear to pilots especially when taking off and landing. Aside from those ABS also reduces the chance of hydroplaning and helps eliminate excessive heat buildup.

Hydroplaning is the loss of braking control or steering which usually happens when layer of water prevents direct contact between aircraft tires on the runway surface (Ming, et al., 2). The operation of the antiskid systems is generally armed by a switch in the cockpit. It has a squat switch which prevents current from flowing to the system during flight. The system only performs its function when the wheel deceleration indicates an impending skid. And ABS allows pilot to fully control over braking at speeds below 20 meters per hour (mph) (Mlevel3, 1).

Tracing back the history of ABS, this system was purposely innovated for aircrafts since, it was impossible for aircraft to have threshold breaking. The initial concept of ABS was actually introduced by Gabriel Voisin, a French automobile and aircraft pioneer in 1929. The first aircraft ABS has utilized a flywheel, a rotating mechanical device that is used to store rotational energy, and a hydraulic line that feeds the brake cylinders. The flywheel has many advantages such when the energy source is not continuously available, it is exploited in the reciprocating engine to provide continuous energy.

It also delivers energy at rates beyond the ability of an energy source and it controls the orientation. And it is also used to control orientation of a mechanical system especially when energy is transferred to or from the flywheel. The first flywheel was actually designed that runs with the similar speed as the wheel and was connected to a drum. The drum and the flywheel spin at the same speed in normal breaking. But, it leaves the flywheel spinning at a faster rate when the wheel and drum were to slow down which allows the valve to open.

A small amount brake fluid then bypass the master cylinder down to a local reservoir which causes the pressure on the cylinder to decrease and release the brakes. The flywheel attached to the drum most important use was to open the valve when the wheel was rotating. This early concept of ABS system was noted to improve as least 30% of the breaking performance of the aircraft because it allows the pilots to find the skid point and enable them to apply breaks immediately. And, additional advantage, this system prevents the tires from burning or bursting (Flight, 587-588).

Another revolution on the development of ABS took place at the beginning of Second World War. The new brake design was suitable for runway use which utilizes high-pressure hydraulic system associated with disc brakes and high-pneumatic tyres. The landing gears were also remodeled during this development era wherein it was stowed since the high aircraft speeds were already specified. And the wheels were made smaller in order to reduce the space available for brakes. Several brake rotor discs were also added which were placed side-by-side along the same axis with stators between each discs (Aircraft Technology Engineering & Maintenance, 2).

Aircraft brake system (shown on Figure 1) commonly includes several important parts such as the normal brake system, which is powered by