Workhorses for the commercial aviation sector are the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 families. These aircraft, of which over 20,000 have been produced, rule the skies.
When empty, each plane weighs about 44 tons. They fly at about 820 km/h while cruising at an elevation of 11 to 12 km. However, the plane must slow down as they get closer to your destination. What exactly do they do?
The simplest method is to lower engine power while in the air. However, a plane brakes in three different ways when the landing gear touches down on the runway. Which ones?
Even in rainy conditions or on slick surfaces, this reversed thrust serves as an efficient brake and aids in the plane's rapid runway slowdown.
Braking with discs:
Disc braking comes first. Wheel-mounted disc brakes are used in this system. The plane slows down when the pilot applies these brakes because the brake pads press against the rotating discs, creating friction.
Although disc braking offers a strong and accurate means of reducing speed, it is insufficient on its own to completely stop these narrow-body passenger planes after landin
Spoilers:
Second, the plane is slowed down by spoilers. Aerodynamic flaps known as spoilers protrude from the plane's wings when it lands. Both speed and lift the force that keeps the plane in the air are decreased by these raised flaps.
Panels emerge from the wings when the pilot engages the spoilers. By obstructing airflow, these panels increase drag and cause the plane to slow down. Did you know that the plane's aerodynamics are actually improved by the upward winglets?
Panels emerge from the wings when the pilot engages the spoilers. By obstructing airflow, these panels increase drag and cause the plane to slow down. Did you know that the plane's aerodynamics are actually improved by the upward winglets?
Thrust in reverse:
Third, the plane is slowed down by reverse thrust. This braking system, which reverses the engines' thrust during landing, is an amazing technique. The engines produce strong braking force when the pilot engages this braking system by blowing air forward rather than backward.
Even in rainy conditions or on slick surfaces, this reversed thrust serves as an efficient brake and aids in the plane's rapid runway slowdown.
The A320 family and the 737s have a landing speed of about 250 km/h. Pilots are able to safely stop these large aircraft by utilizing a combination of reverse thrust, disc braking, and spoilers.