Definition
The use of an aircraft's own surfaces or configuration changes to deliberately increase drag, slowing the airplane or limiting its acceleration during a descent. In an emergency descent, this commonly involves extending the landing gear, deploying flaps (within their limit speeds), or using spoilers/speed brakes if installed.
Plain English
Using parts of the airplane itself — like the landing gear or flaps — to create extra drag and slow the airplane down, instead of using engine power or wheel brakes.
Context Anchor
Seen in emergency descent procedures, especially when the pilot needs to come down quickly while keeping airspeed under control.
Derivation
‘Aerodynamic’ comes from the Greek ‘aer’ (air) and ‘dynamis’ (force or power) — literally ‘the force of air.’ So an aerodynamic brake is a brake that works by using the force of air against the airplane, not friction on the wheels.
Why Pilots Care
Allows safe, controlled loss of altitude in emergencies without risking overspeed damage to the airframe.
Analogy
It is like holding your hand flat out of a car window. When your hand catches more air, it is pushed backward harder; an aerodynamic brake uses that same idea on an airplane.
Intuition Check
Do not picture the wheel brakes on the landing gear. An aerodynamic brake slows the airplane by creating extra air resistance while the airplane is flying.
Example Sentence 1
During the emergency descent, the pilot extended the landing gear to act as an aerodynamic brake, keeping airspeed below the maximum limit.
Example Sentence 2
With no dedicated spoilers available, the pilot lowered the landing gear to act as an aerodynamic brake during the emergency descent.