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Thread: Barefoot on the Brakes

  1. #1

    Join Date
    Sep 2009
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    Sioux Falls, SD
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    Default Barefoot on the Brakes

    Ever since I saw a friend's picture of him flying a Bell 47 helicopter, shot up through the glass bubble, with his bare toes wrapped around the anti-torque pedals, I've wanted to fly my Kitfox that way.

    Well, I did it today and learned a lesson. No matter how conscious you think you are of keeping your toes off the brakes during landing, they're not. So all that weaving around that I do, especially when landing on pavement (and a couple of ground loops) now makes more sense to me. I think I should adjust the brake pedals (standard Matco on my Model II) so that they are well clear of my toes unless I make a concerted effort 'enpointe' to actuate them.

    Anyone have any magic tricks?

    Chris
    Model II, 582
    Sioux Falls, SD

  2. #2
    Senior Member cap01's Avatar
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    Apr 2009
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    yelm, wa
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    Default Re: Barefoot on the Brakes

    a long time ago while i was going to school i worked for an fbo that rented 172s and 150s . it was a common occurrence to have to replace a perfectly good tire because of a flat spot because someone landed with a brake on . i hadnt been flying too long back then so that really made an impression on me , besides if i landed with a brake on with my airplane , i would have to pay for the tire . i cant remember if it was an instructor or i came up with it on my own but i land with heals on the floor and just toes on the rudder peddles . after i get on the ground , i slide my feet up to where i can get toes on the brakes . nothing magic , just stay off the brakes untill you need them
    chuck
    kitfox IV 1050
    912ul warpdrive
    flying B , yelm, wa

  3. #3

    Join Date
    Sep 2009
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    Sioux Falls, SD
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    63

    Default Re: Barefoot on the Brakes

    Ended up just taking the plunger rods out of the Matco cylinders on each pedal and cutting them off about an inch at the top, then re-threading them so that the fitting that bolts onto the pedal is quite a bit lower now. That way the pedal sits forward of my toes so that I have to make a conscious effort to extend my ankles enough to reach them. Probably won't be making any of those lovely pirouetting turns onto the apron in front of my hanger after a flight but also won't feel like I'm pirouetting all over the runway on landing either.

    Chris

  4. #4
    Senior Member cap01's Avatar
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    Apr 2009
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    yelm, wa
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    Default Re: Barefoot on the Brakes

    a little different take on custom peddles , the jurys still out on the non skid . doesnt make for a smooth slide up to get to the brakes . sometime i get a little tail wag during roll out when i move up to the brakes
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    chuck
    kitfox IV 1050
    912ul warpdrive
    flying B , yelm, wa

  5. #5
    Senior Member cap01's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    yelm, wa
    Posts
    694

    Default Re: Barefoot on the Brakes

    i find the peddles a little close together . my left foot / toes up against the cable fitting and the right foot / toes using half of the right peddle . i dont have large feet either , 81/2 - 9 . hasnt been a problem and dont pay attention to it .
    chuck
    kitfox IV 1050
    912ul warpdrive
    flying B , yelm, wa

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