Some OEMs include speedbrakes as standard or as an option on new aircraft, and they’ve been available for years as STC’d retrofit systems. Fitting speedbrakes in the aftermarket may seem like a complicated project, and while it’s a major modification, the installation is easier than you might think—as easy as cutting holes (rectangles, actually) in metal wings can be, that is.
In this article we’ll look at the two and only aftermarket speedbrake systems, the installation, real-world use and the cost.