Which chart is used to determine how much average brake kinetic energy is produced and absorbed by the brakes?

• A. Brake limit charts
• B. Tire wear charts
• C. Hydraulic pressure charts
• D. Flight performance charts

Answer: (A)

The brakes are designed to absorb the kinetic energy of the aircraft, so charts that quantify that energy and how it translates into heat and braking capability are the ones you use. Brake limit charts map the relationship between the aircraft’s kinetic energy (and the resulting braking action) and the amount of energy the brake system must absorb within safe thermal limits. They show how much energy is produced and how much the brakes can absorb on average without overheating or exceeding design limits, which is exactly what you need to assess braking performance.

Tire wear charts focus on tire life, not energy absorption by the braking system. Hydraulic pressure charts deal with the fluid pressure in the braking system, not the energy dissipation. Flight performance charts cover in-flight performance and dynamics, not braking energy on the ground.