Myron; My experience on (N54PB) is that the original drum brakes I purchased from Rand Robinson was not worth the time to carry them home. I tried many modifications to make them work but because they were so poorly made, the drums were not round, I finally put hydraulic disk brakes on mine. I have been totally happy with my setup and never have had any problems with nose overs. One has to get use to applying aft stick to hold the tail down in proportion to the amount of brake applied but anyone with good mechanical/flying sense can easily pick this up.
I normally do a wheel landing and hold the tail up as long as possible and yes even apply brakes with the tail raised. I find that holding the tail up gives better visibility over the nose and the rudder has plenty of directional control negating the need to use differential braking for steering. Others may have a different view and that is fine, I am just posting my experience and opinion on the subject. My KR-2 is a plans built aircraft with the original short landing gear that is being modified not to retract anymore, I am trying to make it a little lighter and less complicated without costing an arm and a leg for new gear. I hope this information it is of some use. FYI Parley Byington byington1...@earthlink.net (N54PB) KR-2 Henderson NV > [Original Message] > From: Pete Diffey <pe...@heroic.co.uk> > To: KRnet <kr...@mylist.net> > Date: 1/21/2007 3:45:16 PM > Subject: Re: KR> Hydraulic brakes > > Hi Myron, > > I am unsure what you are building, I would be very nervous about having > hydraulic disk brakes on a tail dragger. > > I previously flew a Luton Minor which was significantly longer than a > KR, and the wheels were further forward. I had pretty weak cable > operated drum brakes, but I could still manage to get the tail to lift > if I applied them at much more than 10mph. Scary > > The tail dragger KR CG is so close to the front wheel line that with too > powerful brakes, you have a potential disaster waiting to happen. > > In my opinion, brakes on a KR are safe for use in taxiing and not much > more, so cable drums are a safer option. > > Pete > > > Myron (Dan) Freeman wrote: > > Hi guy's; > > > > I've been researching hydraulic brakes for the KR to use with the Diehl gear legs. I searched the archives, not much help except brand names and it looks like Ken Brock is out of business so I guess that leaves Cleveland and Matco and as I recall most of you are using 5" wheels and brakes. So is there an overwhelming preference for one or the other? I've got the R/R mechanical shoe brakes, tires and wheels now but I might be able to use the 3:40/3:00 x 5 tires and wheels over, I don't know. Your thoughts will be appreciated. > > > > _______________________________________ > Search the KRnet Archives at http://www.maddyhome.com/krsrch/index.jsp > to UNsubscribe from KRnet, send a message to krnet-le...@mylist.net > please see other KRnet info at http://www.krnet.org/info.html
