Hacker News Reader

> strong kudos are due both to the air traffic controller who called off the Delta 737 and to the pilots of that plane who managed to abort their takeoff and stop the aircraft before it crossed runway 31L where the Boeing widebody passed in front of it

Can't agree more

View on HN

How difficult is it to stop an aircraft like that so quickly? More than yanking an emergency brake handle I'm assuming.

Before takeoff on all modern airliners, the autobrake system is set to a mode called "RTO" (Rejected Take Off). If at any stage during the takeoff roll the throttles are pulled back to their idle position (an instinctive move during an abort), maximum wheel braking is applied, along with extension of the ground spoilers on the wings (the panels which "stick up" on the wings when you land). Pilots will also usually apply maximum reverse thrust on the engines, adding in a third form of braking.

That’s pretty smart! Thanks for the explanation.

A 737-900, fully loaded and fueled for a transatlantic flight, weighs 70 - 80 tons and takes off at 150 - 180 mph. That's a lot of energy to dissipate in a hurry.

Fun fact, during a high speed rejected takeoff certification the brakes routinely catch fire.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com