A system, apparatus and method provide emergency differential braking for effecting braked steering of an aircraft. A brake input device is provided that not only allows for emergency and parking brake functions, but also enables differential braking. The brake input device (e.g., a parking and/or emergency brake lever, pedal, handle, etc.) can be used in a brake system including a brake system control unit (BSCU), one or more electro-mechanical actuator controllers (EMACs) and a brake assembly including one or more electrical actuators. Each EMAC is electrically coupled to one or more of the actuators so as to provide electrical power for driving the actuators. Each EMAC is also communicatively coupled to the BSCU so as to receive braking data therefrom. In an emergency, the input device sends braking signals directly to the brake actuators.

A method for controlling brakes may comprise receiving, by a controller, a yaw rate from an inertial sensor, calculating, by the controller, a force correction, calculating, by the controller, a pressure correction, and adjusting, by the controller, a pressure command for a brake control device.

A method of controlling the motion of a turning aircraft during taxiing on the ground, the aircraft having a steerable landing gear, for example a nose landing gear, operating in a free-to-caster mode, includes (a) ascertaining the rotational position () of the steerable landing gear relative to the longitudinal axis (L) of the aircraft (b) receiving a control instruction that would, if effected, continue turning of the aircraft in the same direction away from the longitudinal axis, and (c) modifying the control instruction so that the angle between the rotational position of the steerable landing gear and the longitudinal axis will be lower than the angle that would otherwise be observed had the control instruction been effected and not so modified. The risk of damage to the steerable landing gear through over-steering may thus be reduced.

A method of controlling the motion of a turning aircraft during taxiing on the ground, the aircraft having a steerable landing gear, for example a nose landing gear, operating in a free-to-caster mode, includes (a) ascertaining the rotational position () of the steerable landing gear relative to the longitudinal axis (L) of the aircraft (b) receiving a control instruction that would, if effected, continue turning of the aircraft in the same direction away from the longitudinal axis, and (c) modifying the control instruction so that the angle between the rotational position of the steerable landing gear and the longitudinal axis will be lower than the angle that would otherwise be observed had the control instruction been effected and not so modified. The risk of damage to the steerable landing gear through over-steering may thus be reduced.

A method of taxiing an aircraft may comprise: determining, via a brake controller, whether the aircraft is taxiing with a first thrust provided from a first side of the aircraft, a second thrust from a second side of the aircraft, or both the first thrust and the second thrust; and modifying, via the brake controller, a first brake pressure supplied to a first brake disposed on the first side of the aircraft as a function of pedal deflection in response to the taxiing with the first thrust only.

Methods and systems are provided for improved autobraking systems for aircraft. Such systems and methods include a pedal balance controller configured to receive one of a yaw angle, a yaw speed, and a wheel speed, and an autobrake pedal executive module configured to send an autobrake left pedal command and an autobrake right pedal command to a pedal executive module, wherein the pedal executive module is configured to execute a pedal command. These systems and methods may assist a pilot in maintaining a desired course during autobraking.

Methods and systems are provided for improved autobraking systems for aircraft. Such systems and methods include a pedal balance controller configured to receive one of a yaw angle, a yaw speed, and a wheel speed, and an autobrake pedal executive module configured to send an autobrake left pedal command and an autobrake right pedal command to a pedal executive module, wherein the pedal executive module is configured to execute a pedal command. These systems and methods may assist a pilot in maintaining a desired course during autobraking.

A data processing unit for monitoring the performance of at least one undercarriage which is used for braking and/or steering an aircraft, wherein the data processing unit is configured to: receive data representative of operating characteristics of the undercarriage(s) and use that data to calculate a maximum achievable braking force and/or yaw moment to be generated by the undercarriage(s). Also a method for monitoring the performance of at least one aircraft undercarriage which is used for braking and/or steering an aircraft, the method including: receiving data representative of operating characteristics of the undercarriage(s); and using that data to calculate a maximum achievable braking force and/or yaw moment to be generated by the undercarriage(s).

A data processing unit for monitoring the performance of at least one undercarriage which is used for braking and/or steering an aircraft, wherein the data processing unit is configured to: receive data representative of operating characteristics of the undercarriage(s) and use that data to calculate a maximum achievable braking force and/or yaw moment to be generated by the undercarriage(s). Also a method for monitoring the performance of at least one aircraft undercarriage which is used for braking and/or steering an aircraft, the method including: receiving data representative of operating characteristics of the undercarriage(s); and using that data to calculate a maximum achievable braking force and/or yaw moment to be generated by the undercarriage(s).

A controller for an aircraft steering system, the controller being configured to receive a steering input representative of a desired direction of travel of a steerable nose landing gear, and to receive one or more force-based inputs representative of lateral forces acting upon the nose landing gear, wherein the controller is adapted to automatically adjust the steering input based upon the force-based input(s) so as to output an adjusted steering command for a steering actuator of the nose landing gear.