ATA 32 · Landing gear — wheels and brakes
ATA 32 — Landing gear, wheels and brakes
Our original chapter and the deepest part of the source network. Wheel and brake content is where a programme is won or lost on availability, so the whole chapter is kept on one page — the seven product families and the supporting capability that travels with the part.
- ATA 32
Product families in ATA 32
What a wheel and brake programme actually consumes. These families are what used to be separate category pages — they are now blocks of this page, so a single request covers the whole chapter.
Carbon brakes
Carbon brake units are built around a heat sink that absorbs the energy of the landing roll. The wear life of that heat sink, and the integrity of the plates that hold it in position, drive the whole maintenance cost of the brake.
Airbus A320 family · Boeing 747
Steel brakes
Steel brakes remain in service on a large part of the narrowbody and classic fleet, where rotor and stator stacks are rebuilt at each overhaul rather than replaced as a unit. The individual discs, and the hardware that holds them together, are what a programme consumes.
Boeing 737CL · 737NG · 747 · 757 · McDonnell Douglas MD-80 / MD-90
Brake assemblies
A complete brake unit is the largest single item in a wheel-and-brake spares programme, and often the one with the longest lead time from a single source. Sourcing the assembly itself, or an exchange unit, is where a second approved source earns its place.
Boeing 737 · 747 · 757 · Airbus A320 family · MD-80 / MD-90
Wheel assemblies
Wheel work is routine and frequent, which makes availability more important than price. The consumable parts of a wheel — seals, bearings, fuse plugs — are where a programme is won or lost.
Boeing 737 · 747 · 757 · Airbus A320 family · MD-80 / MD-90
Wheel parts
Between a wheel half and a bearing cone sits a set of small parts that are easy to overlook and expensive to wait for. They are listed here so they can be quoted together with the wheel work.
All supported types
Brake and wheel parts
Detail parts rarely justify a purchase order on their own, and that is exactly why they cause delays. A single unavailable O-ring can hold an otherwise complete overhaul on the bench.
All supported types
MRO tools
Some jobs need a tool that no catalogue sells. Where an overhaul or test task calls for a fixture, adapter or handling aid that does not exist off the shelf, it can be designed and produced to the requirement.
Produced to requirement
Prices are not published. Availability, condition, approval basis and price for a specific part number are confirmed on quotation.
Questions we are asked
Why is the wheel and brake content presented separately from the other ATA chapters?
Because it is deep enough to need its own structure — an aircraft type, a brake unit and a part number all have to line up before an item can be offered. The other chapters are presented at chapter level.
How do I know which heat sink fits a given aircraft?
Fitment follows the approved design for the brake unit installed on that aircraft type and model, not the aircraft family alone. Always work from the part number in the illustrated parts catalogue for the specific unit, then confirm the approved alternative against it.
Are carbon brake parts supplied with a release certificate?
Yes. Every shipment is released with the airworthiness documentation applicable to that article, and the certificate type can be specified in your request.
Are rotor and stator discs interchangeable between aircraft types?
Only where the approved design for that part number covers both. A similar disc size does not by itself make two part numbers interchangeable — the approval covers specific aircraft types and models.
Do you supply complete stack sets or individual discs?
Both, depending on the part number and availability across the source network. State whether you need a complete stack or individual discs when requesting a quote.
What condition options are available for a complete brake assembly?
New, overhauled and serviceable conditions are offered subject to availability. Condition, remaining life and documentation are confirmed in the quotation for the specific unit.
Can you supply an exchange unit while mine is being repaired?
Exchange capability depends on the type and on current pool availability. Ask with the part number and aircraft type and we will confirm before committing to a turnaround.
Is a wheel assembly part number specific to nose gear or main gear?
Yes. Nose and main gear wheels differ in dimensions and part number even on the same aircraft type, and the approval applies to the specific installation.
How are wheel bearings supplied?
Cones and cups are supplied individually or as matched sets depending on the part number. State the requirement when requesting a quote.
Why are small wheel parts so often on backorder?
Low unit value and low turnover make them unattractive to hold in stock at a single source. Our position is aggregated across several sources, which shortens the wait rather than eliminating it.
Can you supply small quantities of detail parts?
For most part numbers the minimum order is one unit. Where a manufacturer applies a pack quantity, we will state it in the quotation rather than assume it.
Are standard hardware items supplied as PMA parts?
No. Standard parts such as bolts and nuts are not the subject of a PMA approval. Where an item is a standard part we will say so, and identify it as such.
What do you need to quote a custom tool?
A description of the task, the components involved, any interface dimensions, and the environment the tool will be used in. A sketch or a photograph of the existing setup is often enough to start.
Are tooling items airworthiness-approved articles?
Tooling is not an installed article and is not the subject of an airworthiness approval. If your procedure requires controlled tooling, say so in the request so documentation can be aligned to it.
Send the part number, get a real answer
Availability, condition, lead time and the documentation that ships with the item are confirmed against the specific part number — not assumed from the chapter.