Mark Broadbent looks at the latest in brake systems, from new technologies and materials to how specialist suppliers are positioning themselves for recovery.
Despite the impact of COVID-19 on air travel over the past couple of years, there remain firm predictions for surging demand for new aircraft over the long term. In line with the optimistic outlook, the wheels and brakes market segment is forecast to be worth $12.14bn by 2028, according to August 2021 research by the US venture capital firm Insight Partners.
Steel brakes are of course the traditional aircraft braking system, but carbon brakes are now widely used. Richard Morris, vice-president sales and marketing at brakes manufacturer Meggitt, told AIR International: “For the right aircraft, carbon allows us to offer customers a more cost-effective lifetime solution than steel.”
