Why Do Pilots Slam on Brakes So Hard to Burst Them Into Flames?
Aircraft flight testing is one of the most painful events an aircraft would undergo. The test aircraft is taken through a series of tests to prove its compliance to operate safely and handle emergencies without endangering human lives or property. Today’s episode talks about one such test that will literally destroy the aircraft’s landing gear. The Maximum Energy Rejected Takeoff (MERTO) Test is conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of aircraft braking. As described in the video, the aircraft is put into a certain configuration to mimic the worst-case scenarios that it would encounter in the real world.
Usually, this test is planned towards the end of the flight test program, allowing the aircraft to undertake other tests, while this particular test could damage the aircraft beyond any use.