Braking System and

Aquaplaning
 Braking System
O The most common type of brakes used on
aircraft is the disc brake. Disc brakes function
due to friction between rotating and stationary
discs inside the brake. After applying brakes,
actuators in the brake move a piston to
squeeze the discs together, generating a
frictional force that slows the rotation of the
wheel.
Braking System on Cessna 172
O The airplane has a single-disc, hydraulically-
actuated brake on each main landing gear wheel.
Each brake is connected, by a hydraulic line, to a
master cylinder attached to each of the pilot's
rudder pedals. As the pressure is applied on pedals
and it puts the same amount of pressure on the
brake pads causing the pads to rub against a rotor.
To release the brakes simply let off the pedals and
a spring pushes the master cylinder back releasing
pressure from the brake assemblies.
 Aquaplaning
O Aquaplaning is a phenomenon caused by a
wedge of water building up under the tread of
the tyre and breaking its contact with the
ground. The possibility of aquaplaning
increases as the depth of the tread is reduced,
it is therefore important that the amount of
tread remaining is accurately assessed.
 Types
O Dynamic Hydroplaning -: Dynamic hydroplaning
happens when the water lifts the wheels off the runway.
This usually happens when a wedge of water builds up
in front of the tires and lifts them off the runway.
O Reverted Rubber Hydroplaning -: Reverted rubber
hydroplaning happens when the tires lock up, the
rubber begins to melt, and trapped water under the tire
turns into steam.
O Viscous Hydroplaning -: When oil or accumulated
rubber combines with water on a runway, it can form
an layer of liquid the tires can’t break through
 Prevention
O Don’t land fast on a wet runway. Dynamic
hydroplaning happens at about 8.6 times the square
root of tire pressure. For a Cessna 172 with 34 PSI
tires, that’s about 50 knots. –
O Keep the tires inflated. Under-inflated tires hydroplane
easier than properly inflated ones.
O Use back pressure and aerodynamic braking to slow
down.
O Use light brake pressure, and use aerodynamic braking
to keep maximum weight on your landing gear.
Thank you