What does a braking system benefit from a large amount of braking surface?

A braking system benefits from a large amount of braking surface primarily through increased braking power. The reasoning behind this is that a larger braking surface area provides more contact with the brake rotor or drum. This enhanced contact allows for greater frictional forces to be generated when brakes are applied, leading to more effective deceleration of the aircraft.

With increased braking power, the aircraft can achieve braking more quickly and efficiently, which is particularly important in various phases of flight, such as landing or during a taxi. This enhances safety by enabling the pilot to have better control over stopping distances and improves the overall performance of the braking system.

While other factors like wear time, maintenance costs, and aerodynamics are important considerations in an aircraft's design, in this context, the primary advantage of a larger braking surface is the direct increase in braking power, making it a vital feature for effective aircraft operation.