Discover Airbus brake fans — an optional system that cools brakes faster, reduces turnaround time, and sets Airbus apart from Boeing aircraft.
Did you know about the hidden optional feature in Airbus aircraft?
When every aircraft lands, as soon as the landing gear touches the ground, the aircraft’s brakes are applied to both the aircraft and wheel brakes. However, the wheel brakes contribute more to slowing down the aircraft. As we know, aircraft brakes use disc brakes, which create friction that causes the brakes to heat up. It’s also dependent on the aircraft’s speed, aircraft weight, and wind direction.
Typically, aircraft manufacturers utilize natural air cooling to cool the aircraft by allowing air to flow through the brakes. But it’s not an efficient process when aircraft parked at the gate break and need time to cool down, and that increases turnaround time, and also, hot brakes are less efficient.
Airbus introduces the optional feature, which adds a ventilated fan to the brakes. This feature helps cool the brakes faster by increasing airflow, resulting in quicker temperature reduction and shorter turnaround times.
The Boeing 747 also uses this technology in some aircraft.
How brake fans work
It is an electric fan that blows air directly towards the brake pad, which is controlled by the pilot using the On/Off switch located in the cockpit overhead panel. When it’s used, the role of fans comes into play when there is a heavy landing or an airline requires a quick turnaround; they use the fans to cool down the brakes.
Limitations of the Brake fans
It has some limitations as it adds weight to the aircraft. Aircraft like the Airbus A380 have 22 wheels, which causes more weight and also increases the cost for airlines. Also, in some locations where dust is present, it can blow dust into the brakes.
A fun fact:
Notice that Airbus planes are louder during landing, and Boeing is quieter compared to Airbus.
Let’s take a scenario where fans play a role
A flight landing on a short runway with a fully loaded aircraft. The pilot uses full braking to stop the aircraft, which can cause the brake temperature to reach over 500 degrees. If the aircraft is equipped with a fan, it can come to normal operating temperature much quicker than with natural air cooling, which results in a quicker turnaround of the aircraft compared to natural air cooling.
It might be that this is one of the reasons why low-cost airlines prefer Airbus over Boeing.
