A Problem with Aircraft Braking Systems

    One of the most crucial and important times during a flight is when you touch down at your final destination. This is why the braking system of these commercial aircraft is so pivotal, and cannot be neglected because it can be the focal point of a disaster that is just waiting to happen. The leading reason for failure of braking systems in these aircraft is hydraulic fluid leaks, whether that be externally or internally started, will start to introduce air into the system as well. The pilot will start to feel the brake become more spongy as this system leaks more and more fluid out, until if not found and fixed, causes complete loss of braking control. One of the leading causes for external leaks is the degradation of flexible rubber hose lines, which start to disintegrate because of the corrosive nature that hydro fluid has."Most hydraulic hoses should be replaced every five years. As these hoses age, they can deteriorate from the inside. Small pieces of rubber can flake off and contaminate the system." (Simon, 2015). When this progresses, it usually is started from the inner portion of the hose so you have no idea that it is deteriorating until that same hose ruptures or explodes due to extremely high psi and causes a mishap. Hard lines have some big issues as well, namely corrosion, cracks, wear and fatigue. This is why you always have to pay close attention when inspecting these types of hard lines both during pre flight and post flight. The same goes for aluminum hard lines because they tend to flex and move around during landing, which over time can end up in metal fatigue and failure under pressure. 

My fix for this problem is to use Stainless Steel braided lines for the brake system. This would alleviate the issue of using rubber or synthetic material that will no doubt deteriorate in a short amount of time, as well as throwing out the chance that a hard line can fail due to the movement and stress they get put under which can end up in failure more times then not. The Stainless Steel braided lines are like the best of both worlds because they are flexible, durable, can be flared to whatever size is needed, and have a coating that will last longer against the corrosion and wear problems that normal hard lines have. Maintenance costs may be a little bit more to switch out the whole system at first, but the down time and man hours you would save in the long run would essentially make it worth the initial investment because you get more bang for your buck and the aircraft is not down for maintenance as much because of the standard issues. What do you think? 

Source: 

Jeff Simon, 2015. Aircraft Maintenance: Beware Common Points of Failure on Brakes. Brake System Basics and Maintenance, Part 2. Retrieved from: 

https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2015/september/22/aircraft-maintenance-brakes-common-points-of-failure