Parking brake
 

Hello fellow RV'rs,
Looking for advice on installing a parking brake. How about the parking brake listed in Vans catalog. Is it a good system? What about the PV-1 valves cost and where to get it? I'm using chocks now just wonder total cost, time for installation and how well it work.
Thanks
Mike

The Matco hydraulic parking brake valve works well and isn't too outrageous in terms of cost. Actuation via a simple bowden cable makes installation fairly straightforward.

It works well enough to temporarily hold the plane until you can get chocks in, but in 200 hours, I've never used it once. Would probably leave it out next time.

You will have to some planning of your panel to make sure you can route the cable and install the T handle in a good location.

I'm mixed on this. In 650 hours I use it, but not very often but when I need it, I need it! Living in the Carolinas, there are a lot of ramps that are not level and more than once I have shut the plane down only to find myself rolling on the uneven ramp. That's when I set the brake, get out, chock the wheels, and release the parking brake. Occasionally, I'll leave the parking brake set. (Sometimes when on a busy ramp and I don't want the ramp rats moving the plane.)

Its actually pretty easy to install and as Steve says its no replacement for chocks but it really comes in handy if you have to stop on any kind of incline and get out of the airplane to chock the wheels.

These are both good points. Although I've never needed it as I mentioned above, I too put it in knowing that there might come a time when I would really need it. Maybe someday I will. It's cheap enough and easy enough to install (while building) that, on second thought, maybe I would do it again. I wouldn't put the handle on the panel though. I think I'd probably put it down on one of the fuselage side bulkheads by my knees.

When I mounted mine I used a simple bowden cable and I put the handle on the vent panel on the pilot side. That allows me to reach the brake without actually climbing up on the wing to release the brake. Obviously you cant set the brake without being in the airplane to apply pressure to the system but releasing the brake is a different matter.

Park Brake
 

It's high on the list of things I want. Still in the middle of rebuild but I'm thinking of putting the T handle on upper left corner of the panel to make it easy to reach from the ground and easy to see if it's on or off.

Don B

RV 9 Rebuild in Progress

That is exactly where mine is. I put it there so that it would cover the air speed indicator, when set. The idea being that I would not try to taxi or take off, with brake set, even a little.

Just remember, if you have a tip-up, to put it low enough that the bracing doesn't hit the cable when the canopy is closed.

Brake
 

One last question. How well does this brake hold when doing run up?