Systems and methods for braking aircraft are disclosed. These systems and
methods can be employed on multi-main gear aircraft to reduce the radius
with which the aircraft makes low speed, pivot turns. Further systems and
methods can be used to correct the braking behavior of the aircraft
during a turn when the actual or measured braking behavior of the
aircraft deviates from the commanded turning behavior. For example, one
system includes a controller operatively coupleable amongst a leftmost
landing gear, a rightmost landing gear, and an intermediate landing gear
of an aircraft. The controller can be configured to direct the
application of brakes on wheels of the leftmost landing gear during a
left turn, and direct the release of brakes on all wheels of the
intermediate landing gear during the left turn. Another system includes a
controller coupleable to left and right aircraft brakes, and is
configured to receive a first signal corresponding to a commanded turn
behavior, a second signal corresponding to an actual turn behavior, and,
in response to an error value (based on the first and second signals)
exceeding a threshold value, the controller can direct a change in
braking force applied to at least one of the left and right aircraft
brakes.