Brake pedals

[mdwray]

Could anyone share photos and/or drawings of the pedal layout for brakes? How are they positioned in relation to the rudder bar? We are currently thinking of heel brake pedals. Any comments or recommendations?

[taildrags]

It's difficult to say exactly where heel brakes should go in relation to the rudder bar, but there are plenty of Piets out there with heel brakes. Mine had toe brakes so I can't help with anything concrete, but to get a general idea, look at the attached photo of the cockpit of NX41CC and note where the scuff marks are on the metal plates where the pilot's heels have been. Operating the rudders with a rudder bar means that the pilot's heels are constantly moving forward and aft, unlike with rudder pedals where the pilot's heels are pretty much stationary.

Oscar Zuniga
Medford, OR

[geresh]

Plus one on the toe brakes with the rudder bar. I copied Bill Rewey's plans for the toe brakes and they work well. My piet is a little over-braked, so I am always careful to keep the brake usage to an absolute minimum. I own and fly other airplanes with heel brakes and they feel completely natural, I would not be afraid to use heel brakes. The main advantages to the toe brakes on a Piet, in my opinion, is that they are simple and easy to service.

[taildrags]

Before flying my Piet I had Cub and Super Cub time, Citabrias, and other planes with heel brakes and I had no trouble flying with them. My Piet had the Rewey toe brakes and I really liked those too. I never felt "over braked" even though my plane had Cleveland brakes and masters off a much larger plane (either a 172 or a Bonanza), along with 6.00x6 tires.

-Oscar