Boeing/Airbus Autobrake
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Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Brussels
Boeing/Airbus Autobrake
Could anybody please explain why autobrakes only operate above a certain speed. For instance on the Boeing Autobrake only operates above 85kt. Why can't it operate at the start of the take-off roll?
Thanks
Thanks

Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Australia
I've been told that RTO autobraking can be quite painful (more than Max Autobrakes on Boeings). Your harnesses dig into your shoulders causing pain, so you can imagine the passengers' bodies/heads flailing about under RTO braking.
Presumably you don't want this kind of braking for every rejected takeoff, only for those rejected takeoffs in the higher speed range where remaining runway length/reaction time and the potential for greater injury is an issue.
Presumably you don't want this kind of braking for every rejected takeoff, only for those rejected takeoffs in the higher speed range where remaining runway length/reaction time and the potential for greater injury is an issue.
Last edited by NSEU; 12th March 2013 at 01:03.

Joined: Mar 2006
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From: England
NSEU, don’t believe all that you hear. In most autobrake systems, the level of RTO deceleration is slightly higher than the Max landing selection.
RTO autobrake is designed for safety, not comfort; the deceleration will not generate the emotive descriptions or injuries as you imagine.
An RTO system requires some trigger function for arming (e.g. TO power and speed) in order to enable a takeoff and reduce unwarranted operation.
An RTO below 85 kts may not require full braking, but above this value it’s safer to provide the best stopping performance than rely on human assessment and judgement.
RTO autobrake is designed for safety, not comfort; the deceleration will not generate the emotive descriptions or injuries as you imagine.
An RTO system requires some trigger function for arming (e.g. TO power and speed) in order to enable a takeoff and reduce unwarranted operation.
An RTO below 85 kts may not require full braking, but above this value it’s safer to provide the best stopping performance than rely on human assessment and judgement.
Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Australia
Actually NSEU is correct.
I laughed at your enabling a takeoff and no unwarranted operation comment!!! I've never heard of RTO braking activating by mistake on takeoff......
I can tell you that when the RTO function operates on a Boeing the Pilots all complain of sore shoulders later on. It doesn't muck around!!
I laughed at your enabling a takeoff and no unwarranted operation comment!!! I've never heard of RTO braking activating by mistake on takeoff......
I can tell you that when the RTO function operates on a Boeing the Pilots all complain of sore shoulders later on. It doesn't muck around!!
Last edited by nitpicker330; 12th March 2013 at 04:10.
Joined: Nov 2009
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From: flying by night
In most autobrake systems, the level of RTO deceleration is slightly higher than the Max landing selection.
RTO autobrake is designed for safety, not comfort; the deceleration will not generate the emotive descriptions or injuries as you imagine.
RTO autobrake is designed for safety, not comfort; the deceleration will not generate the emotive descriptions or injuries as you imagine.
RTO auto will simply apply max hydraulic pressure. Deceleration then depends solely on a/c weight and runway conditions, and can be "violent".
Last edited by deptrai; 12th March 2013 at 04:33.

Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Blue sky
Heard from a pilot who used to do tests, including RTO test after maintenance on A330/340's. The discussion was about whether to use reverse during RTO, where he simply said: first time he did it his hands got thrown off the throttles by the violent braking action. By the time he had overcome the sensation and found his way back to te reverse thrust, he was pretty close to a standstill.
There is a reason why a not properly working shoulder harness is a no-go...
There is a reason why a not properly working shoulder harness is a no-go...

Joined: Mar 2006
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From: England
nitpicker330, et al.
It might be my age, but the modern breed of pilots appear to lack a certain depth in thinking, a need to understand how systems work, and how and when to use them.
Certification standards are designed to enable an acceptable level of safety, which includes passenger well-being, but not necessarily their comfort.
If pilots accept hearsay or have false beliefs about operations there is a risk of these being embedded in the mental processes which surface in demanding situations; e.g. during an RTO you don’t use full braking or reverse thrust, because your subconscious bias remembers some tit-bit of misleading information on Pprune or elsewhere.
Take care; brake for safety not for comfort.
BraceBrace, if the AFM states use reverse for an RTO, then use full reverse; no debate.
It might be my age, but the modern breed of pilots appear to lack a certain depth in thinking, a need to understand how systems work, and how and when to use them.
Certification standards are designed to enable an acceptable level of safety, which includes passenger well-being, but not necessarily their comfort.
If pilots accept hearsay or have false beliefs about operations there is a risk of these being embedded in the mental processes which surface in demanding situations; e.g. during an RTO you don’t use full braking or reverse thrust, because your subconscious bias remembers some tit-bit of misleading information on Pprune or elsewhere.
Take care; brake for safety not for comfort.
BraceBrace, if the AFM states use reverse for an RTO, then use full reverse; no debate.

Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Planet Earth
I have never understood why Max Autobrakes is not maximum available braking, just like RTO.
There are situations where max autobrakes (if it was max available braking) on landing would be very useful, of course you can override and brake manually but even the best human Pilot will not outperform the rapidity of function and predictable maximum application of Autobrakes.
Probably very rarely used but it could be quite handy.
There are situations where max autobrakes (if it was max available braking) on landing would be very useful, of course you can override and brake manually but even the best human Pilot will not outperform the rapidity of function and predictable maximum application of Autobrakes.
Probably very rarely used but it could be quite handy.




