Drum Brake

A form of friction brake used on some airplanes. A drum brake is composed of two curved shoes which have a heat-absorbing friction material bonded to their outer surface. These shoes are pressed outward against the inside of a cylindrical drum that rotates with the wheel. The brake is applied by hydraulic pressure or mechanical leverage forcing the shoes out against the drum, and a spring pulls them away from the drum when the brake pedal or handle is released.