REFLECTOR: Brake authority

[Al Gietzen]

Hiroo;

 

If you are not hitting the limit of pedal travel, then the problem is not
air in the line.  It sounds like brake fade to me, and I have experienced a
similar thing on my plane, although I was still able steer the plane. I have
since had the rotors turned to eliminate a 'shudder' I had when braking,
block sanded the pads, and carefully conditioned them before using them
hard.  They are OK but I would describe the brakes as marginal.  

 

I have the Matco (with upgrade) on my SE RG; however my kit came with the
larger XL tires which reduce the brake effectiveness by about 15%; and my
plane is a bit heavier than average for this model.

 

Al

 

-----Original Message-----
From: reflector-bounces at tvbf.org [mailto:reflector-bounces at tvbf.org] On
Behalf Of Hiroo Umeno
Sent: Monday, June 04, 2007 7:58 AM
To: Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list
Subject: REFLECTOR: Brake authority

 

I had a situation this weekend that heightened the "pucker factor" a bit.

 

It was a rather warm day (80 or so at sea level) and I landed at a 3400ft
long.  Upon touchdown, I braked more firmly than normal since it was a bit
shorter a strip than normal.  About mid-way down the strip, I noticed that
the rate of deceleration has decreased a bit.  I used the full length of the
3400ft to get it stopped and turned off the active.  The parking was at the
other end of the field so I taxied back.  It was probably about 5 minutes in
taxi and after getting to the other end of the 3400ft strip, I suddenly
realized that I could only turn left.  To make matter worse, once I got the
nose cocked left, I could not straighten it out, either.  I had to shut
down, push the plane to the ramp, let the brakes cool off, then taxi.

 

Now, I've always had an impression that the braking on my plane was "softer"
than other planes I have flown in the past.  For example, on the Pipers with
castering nose gears, I could make a "pin-point turn" by locking one wheel
or another by standing on the brake.  Not on my plane.  I have the let the
plane start rolling and then nudge the nose over gradually.  Also at run-up,
I can barely keep it from creeping forward at higher RPMs.

 

As I have the standard wing and fuselage (SUV), I have the Matco brakes.  My
understanding is that the Cleveland upgrade is only necessary on the XL
class aircraft.

 

How much brake effectiveness should I expect on these Matcos?  I am starting
to think I might have an air bubble or two in my lines.

 

Hiroo

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