Search found 15 matches

by bob turner
Fri Mar 01, 2024 1:26 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Heel Brakes
Replies: 23
Views: 4967

Re: Heel Brakes

We have been taxi-testing the heel brakes for a few weeks now. I finally stretched my 83 year old legs in there, and found that we still have a few problems - the brakes are in the right spot, and are just like J3 Cub brakes even though the wheels themselves are ancient and obsolete Cleveland discs....
by bob turner
Mon Jan 29, 2024 1:31 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Heel Brakes
Replies: 23
Views: 4967

Re: Heel Brakes

Got the engine running yesterday - taxi tests with the Scott masters were successful. Test pilot says they feel just like the J-3 brakes that we are all used to. Now working on the radio, and then a little paint, assembly, and test flight. We have an application for an amendment to the operating lim...
by bob turner
Mon Jan 15, 2024 6:47 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: tail wheel steering vs castering
Replies: 30
Views: 2205

Re: tail wheel steering vs castering

Mine is going to be Cub Yellow and Colorado Red, with a gentle sunburst on the wings and forward fuselage. I will get a photo of the scheme as used on a low wing. I probably won't be ready to spray until April.
C0B52344-F87B-468C-B606-ADCA1ACC2390.jpeg
FB4ECB41-5118-49BF-A5F4-F2F89637A5FF.jpeg
by bob turner
Mon Jan 15, 2024 6:43 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Heel Brakes
Replies: 23
Views: 4967

Re: Heel Brakes

These are Cub type (Scott) master cylinders. No O rings, no reservoir. The proper replacement would be the Grove 95-1 & 2. Those indeed do have O rings. I have not yet studied the Grove units (which are on my Cub via field approval) to see if the outlet and reservoir is compatible with my mounti...
by bob turner
Sun Jan 14, 2024 9:11 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: tail wheel steering vs castering
Replies: 30
Views: 2205

Re: tail wheel steering vs castering

Thanks. Yours looks like a better design. I will most likely be installing a real aircraft tailwheel, to gain full swivel capability. But for now, I have a good angle, and a way to get the towbar on there for rearward positioning. On the colors - we are in the most crowded airspace in the world for ...
by bob turner
Sun Jan 14, 2024 9:04 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Heel Brakes
Replies: 23
Views: 4967

Re: Heel Brakes

Thanks. Where are these O -rings? Under the bungees?
by bob turner
Thu Jan 11, 2024 10:16 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Heel Brakes
Replies: 23
Views: 4967

Re: Heel Brakes

I got all the mechanical stuff done - all that remains is to add hydraulic fluid and test. As I mentioned above, I could not picture a clean installation inside the cockpit, so chose to mount the Scott masters under the belly. Grove 95-1/2 would work the same, with the same mounting. I also straight...
by bob turner
Thu Jan 11, 2024 9:45 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: tail wheel steering vs castering
Replies: 30
Views: 2205

Re: tail wheel steering vs castering

Pretty sure I can attach a photo. The tailwheel kingpin had a 20 degree(!) positive camber angle, unloaded. As you know, that does not change much when the A frame moves up and down, since the kingpin angle change is the same as the very small angle change of the A frame itself. Photo is of the orig...
by bob turner
Sat Dec 30, 2023 12:53 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: tail wheel steering vs castering
Replies: 30
Views: 2205

Re: tail wheel steering vs castering

New to the Pietenpol. Ours has the “A” frame with coil spring and welded on kingpin section, and a “shopping cart” wheel. I would have no problem with any of that except - unloaded the kingpin angle is about 15 degrees forward. I do know that either dead-vertical or a few degrees forward is good, bu...
by bob turner
Thu Dec 28, 2023 7:42 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Heel Brakes
Replies: 23
Views: 4967

Re: Heel Brakes

Well, I opted for an "under the floor" installation. I mocked it up today, and two of us tried it out. Seems very "Cub-like" to us. The actual installation will be very "dirty" for the test flight period - then maybe we will make some little streamlined blisters. Maybe....
by bob turner
Thu Dec 28, 2023 7:36 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Flop
Replies: 9
Views: 673

Re: Flop

So I can simply remove the flop and fly safely? That would be way better - or just a circular notch like the Stearman?
by bob turner
Tue Dec 26, 2023 9:48 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Heel Brakes
Replies: 23
Views: 4967

Re: Heel Brakes

Ours has that bar, going completely across the aircraft. I can see right now that I need higher, more Cub-like pedals. The ones in front would be perfect, but are too wide. Will I run into trouble raising the pedals and cables a couple Inches? Tough to see exactly what you did there, but it is clear...
by bob turner
Mon Dec 25, 2023 9:30 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Heel Brakes
Replies: 23
Views: 4967

Re: Heel Brakes

There just isn't any room anywhere for a hydraulc master cylinder with heel brake. Today I decided they would have to be in the slipstream. Guess percentage-wise, it will be a blip on the profile drag. Mocking it up this week.
by bob turner
Sun Dec 24, 2023 1:18 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Heel Brakes
Replies: 23
Views: 4967

Re: Heel Brakes

Bump. After trying several geometries I have decided that something like this (only hydraulic) would be optimum. Semi-easy for Cub drivers to get used to. Hopefully someone can steer me to the “West Coast” photos/info? My old Cub Scott masters will not fit anywhere down there, even if I pulled the (...
by bob turner
Wed Dec 13, 2023 10:19 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Brake master cylinder mountings
Replies: 58
Views: 24058

Re: Brake master cylinder mountings

New guy here, with a finished and test-flown bird, newly purchased. One brake lever. One successful test flight by my old buddy Manuel Sparks, and one nose-over, all 15 years ago. I am going to put heel brakes in - there is room for Cub-like Scott masters, but with the bar style rudder control, they...