Definition
An aircraft brake system in which the force the pilot applies to the brake pedal is amplified by a power source — typically hydraulic pressure — to produce greater stopping force at the wheel than the pilot's foot pressure alone could generate. The pilot still controls the brake directly; the power source simply multiplies the input.
Plain English
A brake where pushing the pedal gives you extra help from a power system, so a normal foot push produces a much stronger stopping action.
Context Anchor
Seen in landing gear and brake system descriptions, especially on aircraft where the brakes need more force than simple pedal pressure can comfortably provide.
Derivation
‘Boost’ comes from the idea of giving something a lift or push upward. In an aircraft brake, the pedal input is ‘given a push’ by an added power source, so the result is stronger than what the pilot supplied.
Why Pilots Care
Enables safe stopping of heavier or higher-speed aircraft without requiring excessive pilot force on the brake pedals.
Analogy
Like power steering in a car — you still steer, but a power source multiplies your effort so the wheels turn easily.
Intuition Check
“Boosted” does not mean the brakes are always stronger or more aggressive. It means the pilot’s pedal force is assisted by a power source.
Example Sentence 1
After landing, the pilot pressed the pedals firmly and the boosted brakes brought the aircraft to a smooth stop well before the taxiway.
Example Sentence 2
During the after-landing checklist the crew verified that the boosted brake system was operating normally.