Do you use your parking brake?

[mooreaa]

Hi guys,

Ashely and I are super excited about our kit which is just around the corner. We're just trying to go down the list of add-ons and trying to figure out how useful the parking brake would be for us. I've never HAD to use a parking brake in the Cessna trainer planes I've flow so far, and I've been told not to use them on the ramp, just in case ground crews need to move your plane.

So my question is, do you use your parking brake? How useful is it and what are the situations where you are finding the value in having this?

Secondly, I've seen a post or two about upgraded brake calipers (as well as non factory options). Curious about these in reference to the above and what you guys find useful/important.


FYI tire wise, its a tail wheel config. We'll be sticking to some cheeper (smaller) tires until we get proficient in the plane but after that, I'm hoping we'll be putting on the ABW 26s.

[DesertFox4]

Love the parking brake and use it often. Sloped ramps are no issue anymore. In my model 4 I used to have to jump out while holding onto the Kitfox to quickly get a chock down so my airplane would stay put. With my Grove brake system and Grove parking brake, I can go to full power ( 100 hp Rotax) without any creeping forward. I was very conscience of every oz. of weight I added to my Kitfox during it’s build. The parking brake was worth every oz. it added to my empty weight which was not many.

[jiott]

Agree with DF4; I also use mine very frequently, such as during a quick stop somewhere where it is somewhat windy, but not windy enough to require a full tie-down. The parking brake gives me confidence to leave it somewhere for a while in a moderate wind. It also really anchors it down with a full tie-down in heavier gusty winds and helps prevent a lot of tugging on the tie-down ropes. Well worth the few extra ounces/dollars and is quite easy to install.

[desertdave]

I don't have one but will add one in the future. Definitely a worthwhile feature in my book.

[avidflyer]

I put the parking brake in my Avid Flyer when I rebuilt and find myself using it on nearly every start. I often reach in and push on one brake with my hand, and set the parking brake. That keeps the plane in place while I'm doing other things. I do have my own private strip, so me walking away from my plane may be a bit different then at an airport, but when I rebuilt my Kitfox 4, there was no doubt that it was going to have parking brakes. And so will every other plane I rebuild or own. The last parking brake I bought, I got off of barnstormers for $25 and a rebuild kit is only about 20. Haven't needed to put it in though. JImChuk

[PapuaPilot]

I use mine all the time too. When you are back country flying you don't always have a flat place to park. A parking brake is really handy here. I also use it when refueling. I step on the tire and top of the gear leg, that way I don't need a ladder to refuel (this works on a tailwheel KF).

I had a friend almost loose his Avid Magnum down a 50' hill at Weatherby because he didn't have a parking brake and he didn't use chocks that day. The plane rolled backwards on its own. Fortunately it turned 90 degrees because the nose wheel pivoted. This happened as we walked back from the river to our planes and we were totally shocked. If it had gone another 10' backwards it would have been down by the river, and he would had rode home with me. Imagine if this happens when you are out on your own at a remote airstrip. BTW my plane was chocked with the parking brake on.

I always carry a chocks in the plane. Chocks are extra insurance because I don't completely trust the parking brake if I am going to walk away from my plane. A good example is this one (Soldier's Bar, Idaho). You can't see it, but there is a chock on one of the wheels and the parking brake was on.

[Shadowrider]

Awesome picture Phil! I have a new respect for those that fly the Idaho backcountry after just returning.

[jiott]

There is another cool thing about the parking brake; If you get out of the plane and then decide to use the parking brake (or you forgot to set it), you don't have to get back in to step on the brakes, just reach in and move the parking brake handle to the ON position, then reach down and press the toe brakes by hand and they will lock with enough force to hold the plane in most circumstances. This works because the parking brake has check valves in it to allow flow TO the calipers but not back OUT. I use this feature more often than I like to admit.

[avidflyer]

They say you learn something every day. Well maybe if you pay attention at least. I didn't realize I could set the brakes up like you mention. I'll have to give it a try. Usually I just do one side, and pull the knob to lock the brake. Thanks for the tip! JImChuk

[aviator79]

Like others, I use it all the time. The ramp by our fuel farm has a decent slope. Think about trying to hold the toe brakes while you twist 180 degrees to fish out a chock from the baggage area. (Hopefully it's still up front where you left it?) Then you have to release the brakes and get a foot on the tire to keep it from rolling while you get out and get the chock in. The minimal cost and installation effort of the parking brake is worth it. Honestly, it probably should just be a standard part of the kit.

[jrevens]

I use mine very frequently too.

[avidflyer]

They say you learn something every day. Well maybe if you pay attention at least. I didn't realize I could set the brakes up like you mention. I'll have to give it a try. Usually I just do one side, and pull the knob to lock the brake. Thanks for the tip! JImChuk

I tried setting the parking brakes as was suggested, that is, pull the brake knob, and then push the brakes one at a time from the outside of the plane. It works just fine. Thanks again for the tip. JImChuk

[mooreaa]

Very grateful for the feedback! Heather @ Kitfox suggested that we get this upfront as it would be more difficult to install later, and we were just trying to understand if this would be something that we would want. Clearly it is something we'll want to do!


There is another cool thing about the parking brake; If you get out of the plane and then decide to use the parking brake (or you forgot to set it), you don't have to get back in to step on the brakes, just reach in and move the parking brake handle to the ON position, then reach down and press the toe brakes by hand and they will lock with enough force to hold the plane in most circumstances. This works because the parking brake has check valves in it to allow flow TO the calipers but not back OUT. I use this feature more often than I like to admit.

Jim et. all, how exactly does the parking brake work? I was under the impression that it just acted as another brake cylinder but seems like I might have a misunderstanding on this. Is there any significant force on the parking brake toggle itself to engage/diengage? Any concerns with it ending up in the park position/being bumped?

[Eric Page]

The knob/lever controls a selectable check valve. As normally used, the pilot applies pressure with the pedals, then pulls the lever to lock that pressure in the lines with the valve, holding the brakes. To release, press the pedals and move the lever to off.

As someone else pointed out, the valve only blocks flow in one direction, so it can be turned on before pressure is applied. That feature, while handy on the ground, has potential to cause a mishap. If the lever is accidentally pulled on in flight, the brakes will hold any pressure you apply after landing (or before, which would be worse). Something that unusual might be hard to immediately recognize and correct. It's probably not a bad idea to include parking brake lever position in your final approach scan/checklist.

[jiott]

Eric, that potential problem you mentioned is exactly why the parking brake lever is mounted way up front on the top of the console. In that position I cannot even reach it with my shoulder harness on, and it is clear out of the way of being accidentally kicked. It takes a very deliberate motion to turn it on or off.

[jrevens]

Mine is in a position far forward on the center council that is practically “impossible” to apply or bump inadvertently, same as Jim.

[Eric Page]

Good point, guys. I made my comment based solely on how it works, rather than considering where it's mounted. Putting it out of reach under normal flight conditions certainly mitigates the problem.

[avidflyer]

Mine is mounted on the back side of the seat truss, like I showed in the picture I posted of it. It is very much out of the way there, actually the knob is a bit hard to reach with my fingers, and where it's located, I'll probably never kick it, actually the way it works, you have to pull the knob forward to set it, pushing it back releases the parking brake. JImChuk