Aircraft Brake Inspection Quiz

Anti-Skid Control Unit

• The anti-skid control unit is responsible for preventing wheel skid during landing by automatically controlling brake pressure.

Location and Components

• The anti-skid control unit is commonly located in the aircraft's landing gear or wheel wells.
• The aircraft's wheel wells house the components of the anti-skid system, including wheel sensors, control units, and control valves.
• The three main components found in most anti-skid systems are wheel sensors, control units, and control valves.

Wheel Sensors and Skid Detection

• The wheel sensor component is responsible for determining if a skid is imminent or occurring.
• The stator of an anti-skid wheel sensor is typically mounted on the axle or hub of the wheel.

Braking Mode and Deceleration Rate

• Monitoring the deceleration rate of each wheel helps detect potential skids.
• If the anti-skid control unit receives signals indicating a skid is occurring, it will automatically reduce brake pressure to the affected wheel.
• The anti-skid system returns to manual braking mode when the threat of skid has passed.

Automatic Braking and Brake Overheating

• Some anti-skid systems provide automatic braking by applying equal pressure to all wheels.
• The main concern regarding aircraft brakes overheating is that it can lead to brake failure or fire.
• When brakes show signs of overheating, the protocol is to cool them down before further use.

Safety Features and Brake Maintenance

• Ground safety switches are wired into the circuitry for anti-skid and auto brake systems to prevent accidental brake application on the ground.
• Not replacing all seals during a post-overheat brake inspection can lead to brake failure.
• Brake drag can be caused by worn or damaged brake components.
• Checking the brake housing for cracks, warping, and hardness is important to ensure brake safety.
• After reassembling a brake, it must be tested before installing it on an aircraft.

Brake Noise and Wear

• Brake chattering and squealing can be caused by warped discs, uneven disc surfaces, or brake lining wear.
• A warped disc in a multiple brake disc stack produces chattering and squealing due to uneven braking pressure.
• Uneven disc surfaces can result in the transfer of mix from one disc to another, leading to brake noise.
• Brake lining material is designed to wear down over time.
• The amount of wear on brake linings can be monitored through built-in wear indicator pins or measuring lining thickness.
• A built-in wear indicator pin typically extends when the lining wear reaches a certain level.
• On a Goodyear brake assembly, the wear pin is measured at the outer edge of the brake assembly.
• Lining wear can be measured on some brake assemblies that do not have a wear pin by measuring the lining thickness.
• It is important to consult the manufacturer's maintenance information regarding brake wear pin indicators to ensure proper brake maintenance.

Test your knowledge on inspecting aircraft brakes, including checking brake lining wear, air in the brake system, fluid quantity level, leaks, and bolt torque. Learn about monitoring brake lining wear to ensure effective braking.