Brodhead Pietenpol Association

Original Posted By: sonja.englert(at)juno.com
Brake-heads;If you're even remotely thinking of using the Azusa drum-type brakes, do yourself a favor and don't consider the 4" ones. They are strictly for ultralight type vehicles. I have a set of them on my Flying Squirrel and can tell you that while they are simple and inexpensive, the drums are very thin material and hard to true up. Also, under hard braking they will deform. Use the next size larger ones (I think they are 5") since the drums are a bit heavier and have enough material that you can turn them carefully to true them up. Better braking power for our size airplanes, too.Much better option is the go-kart mechanical disk, a la Mike Cuy, if you want to go simple and mechanical.Oscar ZunigaSan Antonio, TXmailto: taildrags(at)hotmail.comwebsite at http://www.flysquirrel.net________________________________________________________________________________Date: Wed, 15 Jan 2003 16:46:35 GMTSubject: Pietenpol-List: New books for Homebuilders

Original Posted By: "Oscar Zuniga"
Oscar,Just wanted to add my very limited input on Azusa brakes. I personallydidn't want disc brakes for the look. So I put on the 4" drum brakes. Nowwith my very limited hours (3.5) on the Piet, I can only give my verylimited input.The early ones had a skid and ran on turf runways.All I wanted was to hold fast during runup and to brake on taxiways.I heard all the horror stories of guys applying the brakes on landing andnosing over.While taxiing with my FFP404 U/L down the taxiway with a long downgrade,and seeing planes holding waiting to takeoff, and you don't know how to stop without running on the gravel, or intothe deep grass.Guess what I'm saying is that I wanted less (just enough) brakes more than Iwanted good brakes.Right now the 4" brakes hold me in runup (A-65) @ 1500 rpm, and I wouldnever apply brakes on landing unless I was heading into the puckerbrush, andit was life threatening.Up till now the 4" are exactly what I planned on in my limited fly time.The 4" brakes are "enough" for me, and I'm satisfied with them.Just my input so others can make the best choice for themselves.Have a flying friend who is in a club with a taildragger, and four peoplehave applied brakes and nosed over.While getting a BFR in an Aeronca last year had a VERY experienced CFI giveme a tip (maybe I should have known it before) "If you have to apply brakesduring landing,,,use one brake, and the opposite rudder to keep straight".He said you will never nose over, only thing you could do is ground loop.thankswalt----- Original Message -----

Original Posted By: Gary Gower

Original Posted By: "Gary Gower"
Gary,Thanks, I love to hear these things from instructors that really work. AndI love to hear from people who hear it from their great instructors.I love to learn!Ain't life grand!waltps Gary,,,Some day I want to shake your hand, and meet you.----- Original Message -----

Original Posted By: Kip & Beth Gardner

Original Posted By: Les Schubert

Original Posted By: clif