Method of braking aircraft

Abstract

A method and apparatus for braking an aircraft. The method includes: 40 obtaining runway condition data by inspecting a runway with a sensing system of the aircraft (e.g. as the aircraft approaches the runway, either in flight or before a rejected take-off); 41-42 analysing the runway condition data to determine an expected performance profile; 44 monitoring a braking performance during braking of the aircraft; 46 comparing the (e.g. real-time) braking performance with the expected performance profile; and adjusting the braking of the aircraft in response to the comparison finding a deficit in the braking performance relative to the expected performance profile (e.g. determining a fault). The adjustment may include disabling an anti-skid function or switching to an emergency mode. The braking performance (e.g. actual deceleration) may be compared to an expected deceleration threshold. The sensing system may include a camera taking images of the runway, and may determine a runway condition category, e.g. dry, wet, icy or contaminated runway surface.

Images