Experts denied stuffing about problems with aircraft brakes in Russia

Attacks on Russian civil aviation by unfriendly countries continue. In May we wrote about an anecdotal investigation of a resource blocked on the territory of our country about aircraft allegedly falling apart on the move.

New lunge is dedicated to “disabled brakes” aircraft Russian airlines. Ilya Shatilin and Vladimir Chavykin dispelled the myths of anonymous investigators from Telegram channels. In June, Shatilin was approached by representatives of a banned publication asking for help in finding a speaker “who is not in Russia” to discuss the topic of brakes. Details are published in our material.

How are the brakes on an airplane

The essence of the story is that Aeroflot warned pilots about the risk of overrunning the runway on aircraft with the brakes deactivated. The information appeared in one of the Telegram channels, it was taken from the slides of an internal presentation for pilots.

Ilya Shatilin explained the aircraft braking system. It has three components, each of which is designed for different speeds and acts differently.

– First – spoilers or spoilers rising above the surface of the wing. They increase air resistance and reduce wing lift. As a result, the aircraft is pressed against the runway.

– Second – engine reversal, which directs the air flow from the external circuit forward and to the sides. This allows you to direct the thrust vector against the course, which slows the aircraft.

– Third – wheel brakes, clutch packs, which are installed only on the main landing gear. The aircraft also has anti-lock and anti-skid systems.

What exactly is “turned off” in airplanes

Friction discs are changed every few months. When worn, the brake can be deactivated to the nearest. Shatilin reminds you that you can only fly with the brake off for a certain time. A period of ten days is observed so as not to spoil the rest of the brake elements.

Vladimir Chavykin, Head of Flight Service of Severo-Zapad Airlines noted: “Deactivation is usually performed when the brake wear sensor malfunctions or when the brake disc wears to threshold values ​​… This is a widespread and common world practice. To avoid disruption of the schedule, flight delays, all airlines in the world use the so-called deferred defects list (MEL). This is authorized by the aircraft manufacturer and allows air carriers to continue the safe operation of the aircraft until scheduled maintenance.

Why a pilot must be prepared for a runway departure

Ilya Shatilin recalled that the anti-skid system does not solve all problems. And if in dry, calm weather it can easily cope with braking, then with a strong side wind the plane can lead more to the side.

This is what pilots need to be prepared for. The training condition is prescribed for all pilots flying an aircraft with a permit for certain aircraft.

“Undoubtedly, such publications cause reputational damage to the company, the civil aviation industry and the state as a whole … The provision of flight safety is called into question and fear is formed among the layman, which ultimately may affect the normal development of air transportation and the tourism industry, and, as a result, obtaining direct income of regions and the state. To maintain a stable situation in the industry and the country, it is necessary to fight at the legislative level with “fake” publications, which have the goal of discretizing normally operating companies and the army. This should be stopped, and the authors of “Aviatorshchina” and other “hype” channels, before inventing hot news and reposting “fakes”, must understand all the responsibility, ” added Chavykin. He urged Roskomnadzor and law enforcement agencies to carefully consider this situation and take appropriate measures.

There is a fair question. Why are publications trying in vain to expose Russia’s civil air travel looking for a commentator from other countries? And who can benefit from it?