Introduction to Glider Flying > Components and Systems > Landing Gear > Wheel Brakes

The wheel brake, mounted on the main landing gear wheel, helps the glider slow down or stop after touch-down. The type of wheel brake often depends on the design of the glider. Many early gliders relied on fric-tion between the nose skid and the ground to come to a stop. Current models of gliders are fitted with drum brakes, disc brakes, and friction brakes. The most common type of wheel brake found in modern gliders is the disc brake, which is very similar to the disc brake on the front wheels of most cars. Most glider disc brakes are hydraulically operated to provide maximum braking capability. Wheel brake controls vary from one glider type to another.

Figure 2-8. Some gliders have fixed main wheels, others have retractable main wheels. Nose skids, or nose wheels, tail wheels and wing tip wheels are found on many gliders.