Anybody who has ever hydroplaned, whether in a car or an airplane, knows that indeed acceleration does take place at that moment. And anybody who thinks that isn't so and that claiming so invalidates the WSJ article apparently isn't a pilot. Or a very experienced one.
Interesting about hydroplanning.
I've (personally) have only experienced it only one time, in a 707 at the old Taipeh airport, runway 09.
I touched down, on speed, in the first 500 feet (in the driving rain) and applied maximum braking, spoilers, and maximum reverse, until stopping, at the very end of the nine thousand foot pavement.
A close call, certainly, and all FD retired to the bar for appropriate adult beverages.
I asked the very senior Flight Engineer (ex-Qantas) what I could have done better.
He mentioned...'Nothing, Captain, you did fine, it's the luck of the draw'.
So very true.
