Today I had my most interesting landing in my RV-8 so far... .
When I touched down I had a substantial amount of breaking power on the left wheel. Now the break didn't completely lock (at least I couldn't find a spot on the wheel afterwards) but it did break enough that I needed full right rudder and quite a bit of right break to keep my RV on the runway. After I took the wheel pans off the left break pad/assembly was very very hot and even though the left break pads are still there they are worn down below minimum now. The right once still have a long way to go have about 80 hours on them. I could loosen the pads again to have the wheel go free by wiggling the break pads after they cooled down.
Couple of more clues:
- I am using Van's standard Matco wheel assembly/ standard cylinder
- Yes I am sure I wasn't on the left break when I touched down... .
- I did practice spins for 30 minutes or so before I landed. Now the reason I think this is important is that I spin left. To get in a spin you "kick" the rudder which is nearly impossible to do without "kicking" the break the way the break "pedal" is attached to the rudder pedal. Now this should build up substantial pressure on the breaks but I would think that pressure would be released when the rudder pedal goes back to neutral... . This is also not the first time I am doing spins... .
Now my question is what could cause this? I of course will replace the break pads but what else would you check to make sure this doesn't happen again.
Thanks
Oliver
p.s. I think I was lucky doing a low energy 3 point landing. Never knew how short you can stop an RV-8 without putting it on the nose... .
When I touched down I had a substantial amount of breaking power on the left wheel. Now the break didn't completely lock (at least I couldn't find a spot on the wheel afterwards) but it did break enough that I needed full right rudder and quite a bit of right break to keep my RV on the runway. After I took the wheel pans off the left break pad/assembly was very very hot and even though the left break pads are still there they are worn down below minimum now. The right once still have a long way to go have about 80 hours on them. I could loosen the pads again to have the wheel go free by wiggling the break pads after they cooled down.
Couple of more clues:
- I am using Van's standard Matco wheel assembly/ standard cylinder
- Yes I am sure I wasn't on the left break when I touched down... .
- I did practice spins for 30 minutes or so before I landed. Now the reason I think this is important is that I spin left. To get in a spin you "kick" the rudder which is nearly impossible to do without "kicking" the break the way the break "pedal" is attached to the rudder pedal. Now this should build up substantial pressure on the breaks but I would think that pressure would be released when the rudder pedal goes back to neutral... . This is also not the first time I am doing spins... .
Now my question is what could cause this? I of course will replace the break pads but what else would you check to make sure this doesn't happen again.
Thanks
Oliver
p.s. I think I was lucky doing a low energy 3 point landing. Never knew how short you can stop an RV-8 without putting it on the nose... .