Anyone have one and find it invaluable?

Ever had it cause a problem with the brakes? Like, ground loop or instant endo and explosion?

I disconnected the mechanical "cam" style in my old 170 after hearing stories them inadvertently locking the brakes at inopportune times. There were a few times when parking on sloped ground when I would have liked to have had it operational.

I have never used the parking brake on the Maule.

Many have removed the entire assembly to avoid landing with brakes inadvertainly on.

I sure missed having one in the BH I was flying. There were several times I wish it had one.

A simple hydraulic parking valve is a good way to go.... I know of a cub that rolled off an embankment backwards due to NOT having them... Replaced the entire tail section from the door back on that little oops..

Brian.

Z,
Yes, the RANS S7 I bought has one and it has come in handy many times. Great for those times it is gusty and I set the parking valve so the plane doesn't roll away before I can get it tied down. I'd install one even if you don't think you will need it. Sure doesn't weigh enough to worry about and much easier to put one in during construction that to have to do it as an after thought.

Really handy parking on a slope while you look for something to throw under a tire.
I've never trusted it for long, fearing it could bleed off.

I have one and it's a necessity in my opinion - they lock like a rock and I never park, start-up, or run-up without mine on. Mine don't bleed off after several days, at least.

I have wired a position switch to my avionics, so it lets me know when the brake is engaged, in case the button-lock control sticking out isn't enough. But honestly, you would have to have a complete "doh" moment to land the plane with the brakes locked engaged.... it's just not a motion you do accidentally, setting the park-brake in-flight, and it's first on many pre-landing check-lists anyway! I have once tried to taxi with the brakes on, but it's zero-risk situation in the BH, it soon becomes apparent and you're not going to nose-over.

The main risk is doing a half-ass job of setting the valve, with partial brakes, then running up and finding yourself unable to apply more brakes as you start moving - but again, obvious to the user and easily fixed, open park brake valve or close throttle.

I used the Grove valve, and positioned it so it fails open if the control disconnects. My button-lock control on the left side of the panel, away from passengers but near to the pilot's-side window so you can set the brake by hand without having the climb into the plane - that is also worth doing big-time.

Got them in the super cub. I use them a lot. Didn't have them in the champ, there were times I wished I had them. In my opinion, if your flying off airport, you should have them

Just 1 suggestion for the klutz and for me that's whom I'm including!!
If you put it on the left as no one else can get to it, and also if you turn the threads off the handle and position it so that it is locked when it is in the raised position, the only time it will have the handle in it is when the brakes are locked.
When ever the brakes are not on, stow the handle.
Just a thought!
And yes 1 time I had 1 brake locked on my Maule because of Bunny Boots and a broken cable and I forget what else caused it but mostly me!!

I've never had parking brakes (that worked anyway) and was going to say that I've never missed them but reading some of these posts reminded me of many times I wish I did. Including numerous times on a flat paved ramp thankful that my wife or a friend was there willing and able to stand on the brakes while I sprinted to tie the tail wheel down because of the crosswind. And a few more times on uneven backcountry locations when I made a poor choice and the plane wanted to roll backwards after shutdown . I try to remember to keep a set of chalks within reach but brakes would be a lot more convenient!

CW

Yay.

My savage doesn't have one. I'm debating the same thing at this time. I'd say I'll be carrying a set of chocks for a bit.

Experimental....... I'd go with a Summit line lock.

Crzyivan13 wrote:My savage doesn't have one. I'm debating the same thing at this time. I'd say I'll be carrying a set of chocks for a bit.

Experimental....... I'd go with a Summit line lock.

Brand:Summit Racing
Manufacturer's Part Number:SUM-760000
Part Type:Line Locks
Product Line:Summit Racing® Staging Lock Systems
Summit Racing Part Number:SUM-760000

Line Lock Finish:Natural
Line Lock Material:Stainless steel
Line Lock Type:Electric
Switches Included:Yes
Indicator Light Included:Yes
Fuse Included:Yes
Fittings Included:No
Tubing Included:No
Line Lock Inlet Quantity:One
Inlet Attachment:Female threads
Inlet Size:1/8 in. NPT
Line Lock Outlet Quantity:Three
Outlet Attachment:Female threads
Outlet Size:1/8 in. NPT
Quantity:Sold individually.
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$66.97

Edit: I just double posted and quoted myself like a jackass.

Rather than fix it, and delete it, I will leave it here for all the other idiots to take note of what not to do.

Nice to have I think.

Yay!

I've gotten bitten from it creeping out and actuating.

Next plane is gonna have no cable and be hard to get to. It's pretty dang valuable when you need it...which I find is like every day.

You won't often hear me complaining about my Maule, but the stock parking brake they install SUCKS! Hate it.

Chalks are the way to go for me.

Jim

Most of us have probably helped another pilot chock their plane while they held the brakes.
Wouldn't take much of a slope to make it almost impossible to take your feet off the brakes, crawl out of the plane and block a tire before it gets away from you or hits something.

My Citabria has one that I've never used in the years I've had it. Normally I'd have said nay just for that reason. Now all the yay's have got my curiosity up to go out and try it.

I have had the Matco parking brake on three different airplanes, it has never leaked or let off, not even a little. Not an option, a must have for my areas of operation, I trust it probably too much but so far so good. I thought everybody had some type of parking brake? I just wish it worked better when I'm on the skis

Yes. The J5 and C140 have one. Comes in handy. I've never had an issue.

Dave