CONSIDERATIONS ON BRAKES AND THRUST REVERSER USAGE

Giuliana Fonseca EMBRAER - Flight Operations Liasion

Considerations on Brakes and Reversers usage

Agenda
Introduction Some facts Some numbers Case studies Final considerations

THIS INFORMATION IS EMBRAER PROPERTY AND CANNOT BE USED OR REPRODUCED WITHOUT WRITTEN AUTHORIZATION

Considerations on Brakes and Reversers usage

Agenda
Introduction Some facts Some numbers Case studies Final considerations

THIS INFORMATION IS EMBRAER PROPERTY AND CANNOT BE USED OR REPRODUCED WITHOUT WRITTEN AUTHORIZATION

Considerations on Brakes and Reversers usage Introduction

Usually, landing performance do not take into account the use of TRs TRs are a bonus for increased safety margins On the other hand, carbon brakes are more efficient under certain conditions TRs and Brakes operating policies vary from an operator to another...
THIS INFORMATION IS EMBRAER PROPERTY AND CANNOT BE USED OR REPRODUCED WITHOUT WRITTEN AUTHORIZATION

Considerations on Brakes and Reversers usage So, whats the best option???
Should T/Rs be used on all landings? Or should they be used only on restricted/contaminated runways? How can I save my (expensive) carbon brakes? Can I combine Autobrake with T/Rs?

THIS INFORMATION IS EMBRAER PROPERTY AND CANNOT BE USED OR REPRODUCED WITHOUT WRITTEN AUTHORIZATION

Considerations on Brakes and Reversers usage

Agenda
Introduction Some facts Some numbers Case studies Final considerations

THIS INFORMATION IS EMBRAER PROPERTY AND CANNOT BE USED OR REPRODUCED WITHOUT WRITTEN AUTHORIZATION

Considerations on Brakes and Reversers usage

Facts about reversers
TRs are more effective at high speeds; Its use below 60 kt increases the chances of foreign object ingestion by the engine; TRs are stopping devices that do not depend on runway condition, but its importance increase on slippery runways; Costs of TRs usage are difficult to determine since maintenance is usually part of agreements with engine manufacturer.
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Considerations on Brakes and Reversers usage

Facts about carbon brakes
Brake wear is far more related to the number of applications than to the energy applied Braking performance can be optimized by applying maximum continuous pressure on the brake pedals. The ANTI-SKID system will modulate the brakes if required Pedals should not be pumped!!!

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Considerations on Brakes and Reversers usage

Facts about carbon brakes (Cont.)
Test results show brakes wear is minimized around 200C Carbon brakes wear faster when they are cool Costs of brakes usage are (also) difficult to be determined due to particular agreements with the brakes supplier
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Considerations on Brakes and Reversers usage

Facts about performance...
Autobrake system works aiming a deceleration target:
a) LO mode: - 4 ft/s2 b) MED mode: - 8 ft/s2 c) HI mode: -13 ft/s2.

Brakes applied as required to reach target deceleration level Deceleration is affected by three factors:
Aerodynamic drag Wheel brakes Reverse thrust
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Considerations on Brakes and Reversers usage

Facts about performance (Cont.)...
In a nutshell, if the braking coefficient is good, the thrust reversers will not help the landing performance
Deceleration

Total Deceleration Brakes Deceleration Reversers Deceleration Autobrake Target

Time
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Considerations on Brakes and Reversers usage Facts about performance (Cont.)...

but, if the braking coefficient is NOT good, the thrust reversers could help achieve the maximum deceleration
Deceleration

Total Deceleration Brakes Deceleration Reversers Deceleration Autobrake Target

Time
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Considerations on Brakes and Reversers usage

Agenda
Introduction Some facts Some numbers Case studies Final considerations

THIS INFORMATION IS EMBRAER PROPERTY AND CANNOT BE USED OR REPRODUCED WITHOUT WRITTEN AUTHORIZATION

Considerations on Brakes and Reversers usage Carbon Brakes Assembly Replacement

Reason: Worn to limits, damaged, inop, leakage, cycle limit, etc.
EJETS - SCHEDULED E-Jets - BrakeREMOVALS RemovalsRATE L12M BRAKE ISSUES
0,300 0,250

Rate per 100 S.F

0,200

0,150 0,100

0,050 0,000 J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D 2007 2008 2009

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Considerations on Brakes and Reversers usage MLG Tire / Wheel Assembly Replacement
Reason (Worn to limits, damaged, time limit, etc.)
EJETS - SCHEDULED REMOVALS RATE L12M E-Jets - Wheel and Tire Removals TIRE AND WHEEL ISSUES
3,500 3,000 2,500 Rate per 100 S.F 2,000 1,500 1,000 0,500 0,000

J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D 2007 2008 2009

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Considerations on Brakes and Reversers usage So what??

On the previous plots there is no clear correlation between brake wear and wheel/tire replacements... so, best practices for saving brakes do not necessarily mean that there will be more wear on wheels and tires!

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Considerations on Brakes and Reversers usage So what?? (Cont.)

As a reference, a 500 cycles increase in brakes life represents a reduction of about 6 USD/FC on brakes cost (USD 12.000,00 considering a 2000 cycles per acft/yr average utilization) Using TRs for 15 sec per flight increases fuel consumption by about 20lbs per landing (USD 10.000,00 acft/yr considering TRs always used, 2000 cycles per acft/yr average utilization and fuel @ USD 2/Gal)
THIS INFORMATION IS EMBRAER PROPERTY AND CANNOT BE USED OR REPRODUCED WITHOUT WRITTEN AUTHORIZATION

Considerations on Brakes and Reversers usage

Agenda
Introduction Some facts Some numbers Case studies Final considerations

THIS INFORMATION IS EMBRAER PROPERTY AND CANNOT BE USED OR REPRODUCED WITHOUT WRITTEN AUTHORIZATION

Considerations on Brakes and Reversers usage Case studies

Operators in Americas, Europe, Middle East and Asia Pacific were asked about their policies for brakes, autobrakes and TRs utilization Environmental conditions and severe winter do have an effect on brakes life... ...but most of all, good practices do make the difference!

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Considerations on Brakes and Reversers usage Case studies

TRs used on all landings; TRs always deployed but used only on short, wet or contaminated runways; TRs used as required being:
limited to idle reverse on normal landings Mandatory on contaminated runways

Rational utilization of TRs and autobrakes during landing, taxi and parking. Brake wear reduction policies are adopted and spread between pilots.

Using an average overhaul cost, each variation of 0,100 means ~USD 33,00 per FC.
THIS INFORMATION IS EMBRAER PROPERTY AND CANNOT BE USED OR REPRODUCED WITHOUT WRITTEN AUTHORIZATION

Considerations on Brakes and Reversers usage

Agenda
Introduction Some facts Some numbers Case studies Final considerations

THIS INFORMATION IS EMBRAER PROPERTY AND CANNOT BE USED OR REPRODUCED WITHOUT WRITTEN AUTHORIZATION

Considerations on Brakes and Reversers usage

What have we seen so far
...on Brakes:
Carbon brakes wear is much more a function of number of applications than of the energy applied. Then its not a good idea to pump the pedals Brakes wear is greater when they are cool (<200C), so special attention should be paid to taxi-out procedures Maximum carbon brake life can be achieved during taxi by using a small number of long, moderately firm brake applications instead of numerous light brake applications Releasing the parking brake after confirmation that chocks are in place is a good idea as this expedites the cool-down and reduces the chance of soft spots on the brake pads

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Considerations on Brakes and Reversers usage

and on Reversers
If the autobrake is set to LO, reversers should not be used as the system will disengage brakes anytime the target deceleration is sensed Whenever the airplane braking coefficient is good and autobrakes are used (any setting), the T/Rs will not improve the landing performance For expected braking coefficient medium or poor, the use of thrust reversers could increase the airplane deceleration, decreasing the landing distance The T/R should only be used when the pilots judgment says to do so, according to the airplane speed, weight, weather conditions, etc.

THIS INFORMATION IS EMBRAER PROPERTY AND CANNOT BE USED OR REPRODUCED WITHOUT WRITTEN AUTHORIZATION

Considerations on Brakes and Reversers usage Remember our initial questions:

How can I save my expensive carbon brakes? Should TRs be used on all landings? Can I combine Autobrake with TRs?

Now we should be able to get them answered

THIS INFORMATION IS EMBRAER PROPERTY AND CANNOT BE USED OR REPRODUCED WITHOUT WRITTEN AUTHORIZATION

Considerations on Brakes and Reversers usage and dont forget:

Safety and passenger comfort come first!

THIS INFORMATION IS EMBRAER PROPERTY AND CANNOT BE USED OR REPRODUCED WITHOUT WRITTEN AUTHORIZATION

Considerations on Brakes and Reversers usage

THANK YOU

THIS INFORMATION IS EMBRAER PROPERTY AND CANNOT BE USED OR REPRODUCED WITHOUT WRITTEN AUTHORIZATION