Brodhead Pietenpol Association

Original Posted By: "John Dilatush"
Subject: Pietenpol-List: Rudder Bar with Heel BrakesHow are you folks doing with heel brakes and rudder bar ? It seems to me it would be an uncomfortable combination of sliding your foot, while trying to keep your heel stationary on the heel brake.I'm going to add brakes, and possibly a small non steering tail wheel, so I can access hard surface taxi ways. I found some 2 1/2" diameter, and maybe 5/8" wide steel wheels (with bearings) for the tail wheel, at the Yard Store, here in Wichita. Or maybe I'll just leave the hardwood block back there, but I need directional brakes to handle hard surfaces.Chuck Gantzer________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: owner-pietenpol-list-server(at)matronics.com
I won't claim this works as I have only made a proof of concept mock up. Ihave the straight axle gear 21" rims with cable operated drum brakes and therudder bar. The brake control is like a motorcycle hand brake mounted on thefront of the stick. The sheathed cable runs down the stick and splits intotwo cables parallel to the aileron torque tube. These two cable sheaths areanchored to the floor and the inner cable make a 180 degree turn backtowards the front at about under the seat. They then pass over movingpulleys that are fastened with rod links to the rudder bar. This means thecables have an S shaped path and exit the floor at about the rear landinggear "V" strut. Sheathed motorcycle cables take the pull from there to thedrum brake levers.With the handle squeezed hard toward the stick the wheels are locked. Thelever is at a bit of a stretch but I can get my fingers around it. When therudder bar is moved, the cable on the side the bar is pressed gets tighter.The opposite side goes slack. The differential is enough that the oppositewheel turns freely. The hand lever moves toward the stick slightly. Theslack cable is held on the pulleys by guards and fair lead tubes on thetorque tube. I haven't built the whole affair yet and plan to have a row ofholes on the pull rod attachment at the rudder bar. This will allow me tofind the right rudder bar pull point.Benefits: Brakes! I can hold the brakes with one hand. Differential braking. No Hydraulics. Motorcycle cables are adjustable. Thinking this up is a cure for insomnia.Disadvantages: The pile of parts weighs about 2 lbs. I can't seem to find the time to finish it.Rudder bar? Well the first vehicles I drove where "Capital I go-karts" withfront axle steering. You pushed on the opposite side from the direction youwanted to steer.All my time has been in older tail draggers. The Tiger Moth has the onlyrudder bar I've flown. It has no brakes and a funny linkage that keeps thepedal attached to the bar from swinging in an arc. It still requires a lotof leg motion.Learn to dance. Fly a tail dragger!John-----Original Message-----

Original Posted By: Kip & Beth Gardner