ABS - or is it Pure BS

From: Christian Fandt <cfandt_at_netsync.net>
Date: Mon Apr 5 21:32:43 1999

Upon the date 08:58 PM 4/5/99 -0400, Max Eskin said something like:
>On Mon, 5 Apr 1999, Allison J Parent wrote:
>>The put ABS on BIG airplanes for a reason and not for the added weight.
>
>I don't know if my Microsoft Flight Simulator experience is worth
>anything, but judging by what I've seen both in it and in various 'Worst
>Aircraft Tragedies' shows, big airplanes aren't maneuvrable enough to turn
>while they're skidding. And don't they turn by adjusting the engine thrust
>anyway?

ABS prevents the wheels from locking up like in a car and in so doing
maintains a somewhat straight trajectory. A bit of steering is probably
needed to correct for cross winds or such. Of course, Allison or other
airplane pilots here would add to this.

This can be shown in an automobile. I have done it several times simply to
"warm up" or get used to the ABS action at the beginning of winter. I go to
the company parking lot on an evening or weekend of the first snow,
accelerate, nail the brakes and feel and observe what happens. I can do
this and release my hands from the steering wheel and the car comes to a
stop in a generally straight line.

Without ABS on my older cars when I did these "skid pad" warm ups, the car
would get squirrelly and I could never let go of the wheel. That improved
stopping control actually is the essence of the use of ABS.

Regards, Chris
-- --
Christian Fandt, Electronic/Electrical Historian
Jamestown, NY USA cfandt_at_netsync.net
Member of Antique Wireless Association
        URL: http://www.ggw.org/awa
Received on Mon Apr 05 1999 - 21:32:43 BST

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