One of the most expensive consumable items on an aircraft is becoming less expensive to operate. Hydro-Aire, a part of Crane Aerospace & Electronics, has signed a licensing agreement with Dunlop Aerospace’s aviation braking systems division of Coventry, England, for braking system software designed to increase aircraft brake life significantly. Hydro-Aire is a Burbank, Calif.-based company that manufactures aircraft antiskid, brake control and autobrake systems.
According to Greg Ward, president of Crane Aerospace & Electronics’ aerospace group, approximately 70 percent of aircraft carbon brake wear takes place during ground taxi since carbon brakes have inherently good wear characteristics during high-speed landings. The Taxi Select Braking system employs software logic that, with each brake-pedal application, alternately applies brake pads during taxi operations. However, the dynamics of steel wear make the system inappropriate for aircraft with steel brakes.
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