Hydroplaning

Here’s the next installment in our basic aircraft information series. I’m sure we all remember the basic formula for computing the speed of dynamic hydroplaning as 9 times the square root of the tire pressure, but for those of you wanting a fuller refresher, we turn to our old friend Wikipedia…

Here’s the link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydroplaning_(tires)

We’re concerned with section 3, so if you want to skip to there, feel free. Just remember to go back and review all the other important stuff later.

While you can read this article for yourself, I’ll just point out a few favorite observations:

Please don’t skip the section on “Viscous Hydroplaning” – it goes into rubber buildup in the landing area,,,the proper description of “Slicker than owl shit”!

Reverted rubber hydroplaning happens quicker than a wet fart – it’s over before you realize it’s happening.

The description of “Reducing risk” of hydroplaning and how to brake in those conditions is very optimistic (refer to the above comment). If you don’t do it exactly right, you end up with the dreaded ‘”flop, flop, flop” for the (short) duration of your taxi-back!