Parking brake

[crabandy]

I didn't install one either, saved weight/$$/complexity. I never used them in the factory airplanes and they usually didn't work all that great.

Then I pulled in front of my hangar on a typical windy Kansas day, the airplane wouldn't stay put unless I had my feet on the brakes. I eventually let the airplane weathervane into the wind (pointing downhill) and roll off the ramp and into the soft mud/grass.

I'm still not going to install a parking break in this plane, if I still have the same hangar my next one will probably have a parking brake.

[bruceh]

I've used mine more than a couple of times on various ramps to give me time to get out and chock the wheels on unlevel surfaces.

Here are a couple of photos of my installation.








My only issue is really how close the parking brake handle comes to the side skin. It can be akward to reach down with your left hand and get your fingers around the handle to push the release button.


A microswitch tells the EFIS whether the parking brake is set or not.

[Bevan]

Originally Posted by scsmith

This statement is not quite true. The valve has a check-valve type function, so you can have the valve closed and add pressure by pressing on the brake more. It won't let pressure out until you open the valve, but you can add pressure with the valve closed.

OK, not sure if mine has that feature. I don't recall seeing that written in the description, nor do I recall seeing the ports labeled for orientation as they would have to be if there was a check valve inside. Is the check valve standard on all parking brake valves? Mine is an older type (Matco I think)with the inlet/outlets arranged 90 degrees from each other. Cannot find an old drawing on the web. Anyone point one out to me?

Bevan

[scsmith]

Hi Bevan,

Mine is also the old Matco with the inlets and outlets 90 degrees from each other. There is a label on the valve body that indicates the flow direction.

In the manual, it actually describes operating it by closing the brake valve first, then stepping firmly on the pedals to pressurize the circuit. Try it.

Here is the URL for the installation drawing for it:http://static.veracart.com/matco/ite.../document1.pdf

Note the arrow showing "flow to brake" and the arrow showing "from M/C" (master cylinder).

To the OP:
I have to say, I wasn't sure I would use mine, but installed it on recommendation from a friend. I'm glad I did. I've probably used it 5 times in 5 years, but when I do, I'm really pleased I have it.

[ronschreck]

In over 1900 hours I have never used it!

[longranger]

Originally Posted by schristo@mac.com

I have yet to come across a situation that I wish for a parking brake...

You haven't been to L05 solo yet...

[JanRV6UK]

Bruce,

When you secured the valve to the firewall - did you also use a doubler plate on the forward side of the firewall ? Looks to me as if the bracket is secured with -3 rivets ?

[bruceh]

No doubler on the firewall. I don't think it needs the extra strength. The parking brake valve isn't heavy, and it is right next to one of the firewall angles which helps support the stainless steel firewall material.

[Canadian_JOY]

If you've ever experienced that horrible feeling in the pit of your stomach as you turn around to see your unattended airplane rolling toward the fuel pumps, you'll know why some folks opt to install a parking brake. They really do come in handy for those times when you need to temporarily secure the airplane from rolling away from you.

And then there was that time when I had parked a 172 on a ramp dotted with patches of black ice... I hopped out of the airplane, unlocked the baggage door and, in reaching into the baggage area to retrieve the chocks, slipped on the ice and went down in a heap. I sat up just in time to have the horizontal stabilizer whack me on the back of the head as the airplane started rolling away from me, pushed by an arctic blast of wind. Yeah, not one of my better days in aviation. A functional parking brake would have been handy in that situation!

[JanRV6UK]

Thanks !

and would I be correct in saying that you used countersunk -3 rivets to secure the braket to the firewall ? Looks that way from the shop head ...