In flight mechanics, “retarding force” refers to any force acting against the direction of an aircraft’s motion, typically opposing its forward movement. This force, often encountered during the landing phase, includes aerodynamic drag, braking forces, and other resistive elements that slow down the aircraft’s velocity, affecting its deceleration and control. The formula to calculate Retarding Force is as follows:
Where:
- μr is the Rolling friction coefficient,
- W is the weight in N,
- L is the Lift Force in N.