Forum: F-16 Design & Construction

How many manufacturers are making carbon brake discs for the F-16?

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If I remember from tech school, there's 2 different designs. As for manufacturers, dunno on that one, could be just one, could be many.

There are many manufacturers of those brake discs. Just to name a few:

BFGoodrich Aerospace (USA) - block 32, block 60
SGL Carbon Composites (Germany)
DACC (Korea) - for Block 32, block 52

Is it correct that the operating costs of the wheels and brakes over the jets life cycle is the third largest expense, after the airframe and engine?

Not too sure about the brakes and tires being the third largest expense but I do know that with all the hydraulic pump TCTO's we have done in the past few years that the air force has put a lot of money into that as well.

Can tell you that I agree with Lieven... Lots of tire changes going on out there. Especially if your riding with a certain name brand.

I would say fuel is one of the more large expenses.

ID... that's pretty funny because I was thinking about that same thing this morning after I called for a top off truck for one of my jets. That is pretty pricey!!

I've heard a story of a pilot TDY who had to land at a commercial airport and put a load of fuel on his personal credit card- something like $10K!!!! Of course, according to the story he filed it on his travel voucher and got it refunded.....

Guess it depends on what kind of jet he was flying. Not a 16 though. Jet fuel (tax exempt) is still cheaper than automobile gas in the US. Round a fuel load on a 16 to 2,000 gals and that's just $3K.

Last time I ordered a brake (which was a few years ago) they cost just over $11,000 a piece. Main tires were $400 and the radials were $800 but are surpose to last twice as long.

Can anyone tell me if we are still using the radials?

Working in a new radial by Michelon but still in testing stages. Feedback is that they're not the greatest.

Not sure, but we had someone order an arresting hook, and the pad was like $100 something, while the actual hook was well over a $1000, crazy prices for the lowest bidder...

chickenlegs wrote:

Working in a new radial by Michelon but still in testing stages. Feedback is that they're not the greatest.

Was this based on the recent tests at Indianapolis? Cool

Very good habu.....not sure the folks on this side of the pond even got that.....Not to many formula 1 people here.

I know the radials weren't all that great before, hopefully they can come up with a good one.

Purple

Actually at Great Falls.........
Just read an article that Goodyear was having some problems with their corporate jet line of tires and that there is a lawsuit pending. To bad the government can't or isn't doing that............
Chickenlegs

Forum: F-16 Design & Construction

Carbon brake discs for F-16 / Expenses