Originally Posted by ManFlex (Post 1749795)

Don't know about other carriers, but we used to use 'Home Depot' caliber fans on the ramp for cooling. Last year, the FAA and Airbus put an end to that. New fans had to be custom built to comply. So yeah, the weight savings is real but I don't imagine they cost as little as the 'Home Depot' variety.

Originally Posted by SVA402 (Post 1749731)

I understand that there is a lot of weight on 4 wheel/tire assemblies which naturally heats up the brakes, but how is it any different from a 737? Particularly one of the bigger 737s like a -900ER? I'm just curious why Boeing doesn't have this option.

Originally Posted by gettinbumped (Post 1749894)

If I remember right (it's been awhile) it has to do with the flashpoint of hydraulic fluid and the way the lines are routed through the wheel well on the Airbus... not the ability to stop when they are hot

Originally Posted by gettinbumped (Post 1749894)

If I remember right (it's been awhile) it has to do with the flashpoint of hydraulic fluid and the way the lines are routed through the wheel well on the Airbus... not the ability to stop when they are hot

Originally Posted by LifeNtheFstLne (Post 1749921)

You are correct. ECAM at 300... autoignition point of some hyd fluid is around 398 iirc.

Originally Posted by Greg Bockelman (Post 1749859)

Comply with what? Were these fans actually mounted to the plane, or were they sitting on the ramp blowing air on the brakes? If the later, I would like to see someone stand up to the FAA and Airbus and tell them to go pound sand.

Originally Posted by EMBFlyer (Post 1749956)

All of our A319/320/321s have brake fans. However our guidance is no to turn them on unless the temps approach 500*C. They say it's for brake life. Carbon brakes like to be hot.