Parking Brake or No

[Rupester]

I did not install a PB during my build, and have no intention of retrofitting one. Have not needed one in four years of flying. But if I were building all over again, would I install a PB? Yes.

[912ry]

I installed one during the build. Not hard to do then. I've used once or twice a year for the last three years. I like having it.

[Kyle Boatright]

Originally Posted by Rupester

I did not install a PB during my build, and have no intention of retrofitting one. Have not needed one in four years of flying. But if I were building all over again, would I install a PB? Yes.

I've been flying my -6 for 15 years and have never wished for a parking brake.

BUT, i'd put one on the next airplane, and might eventually retrofit one to the -6. You never know when you'll land solo somewhere windy or unlevel.

[BobTurner]

No parking brake. I do have the modified (two tabs on front) Bogart tow bar, which can double as a parking brake. I just have to remember to stow it within reach if flying solo.

[TimO]

In over 10 years on my RV-10 I maybe wished for a parking brake 1 time. So I didn't put one on my RV-14. But, while I was doing my flyoff I had one time I could have used it in the RV-14. I allowed a friend to taxi up to the pump first and that left me hanging, facing uphill to the pump. I made do fine.
Ideally I would have turned the plane and it wouldn't have been an issue.

I do see where they are occasionally of value, but I've heard so many stories of them leaking and really don't care for any added work to install, or locating another place for yet another knob. So I don't have one. It's just a personal preference thing. Many will want it, many will not care. I just don't think the ROI on it would be worth my time in my place. I fly lots of X/C and it's rare that I can't get positioned somehow in a wind friendly position to get out of the plane and get to the pumps.

[hawkeyestof]

Installed parking brake on my 8 during build and have been very happy to have it on several occasions. In Puerto Rico, once in Alaska and in several stateside (small) airports with sloped area at gas pumps. If you fly in/out home field and with pax you're good to go without. But, when you need it you really need it.

[maniago]

I've been thinking about this, and was wondering why not use a manual line lock, like from Jegs for $40? Wicked cheap compared to a parking brake, and brake fluid compatibility not withstanding (which I'd have to research), I'm thinking a lock on the pilot side wheel only (making super easy installation) ought to be enough to give time to get out and place the chocks on the plane, esp on a taildragger. Its not gonna roll away - maybe in a slight circle till you get out.

I cant think of any down sides to this. Thoughts?

http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS-Performan...63028/10002/-1

[Ron B.]

Originally Posted by maniago

I've been thinking about this, and was wondering why not use a manual line lock, like from Jegs for $40? Wicked cheap compared to a parking brake, and brake fluid compatibility not withstanding (which I'd have to research), I'm thinking a lock on the pilot side wheel only (making super easy installation) ought to be enough to give time to get out and place the chocks on the plane, esp on a taildragger. Its not gonna roll away - maybe in a slight circle till you get out.

I cant think of any down sides to this. Thoughts?

http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS-Performan...63028/10002/-1

You would need two!

[maniago]

Originally Posted by Ron B.

You would need two!

Uh, no. Re-read my post. Thats what I'm getting at.

[KayS]

would like to dig out this old thread. I didn't install a parking brake in my almost completed RV7 and think now it would be good to have one. But I hesitate the effort to retrofit the standard parking brake system.

Mani suggested to use a manual line lock (link from Jegs still works). Anybody tried that?

Thanks
Kay