Heel Brake technique

[stknrdr]

There is an interesting thread going on over at supercub.org re: heel brake usage.

I'm in the same position as the original poster over there as I'm 6'3" with long legs. Also feet are size 13 but narrow. I wear low heeled Justin Ropers when flying.

1. Because of the acute angle of thigh and calf, holding the brakes on an 1800rpm run up is sometimes problematical. So, I'm pushing as much down as I am forward. Brakes are nearly new, BTW.

2. I'm generally blessed with situations which require little or no brake useage except for run up, but there is the occasional circumstance when I need them.

3. When I DO need them, it seems like an either/or situation. I can have rudder control or brake control, but not both. Or minimal of each, which is WAY worse.

4. I didn't have this problem with the float Champ. Hhmmn!?!

5. WIFE who is substanitally shorter than I, doesn't seem to have the problem. Maybe 'cause she'e a certified Yoga instructor.

I've only got 45hrs in this Tail Dragon so any tips and techniques would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Tim

[Jody Wittmeyer]

Tim, practice, practice, practise. Toe brakes are for kids.
Seriously, if it's possible for you to put your heels by the brakes and point your toes outward, you can use both. get the amount of brake you want, hold it by anchoring your heels on the floor, then use your toes to control the rudder action. It can be done. Have a 6'6 friend that loves his champ. Only thing he could fit into. He has no problems.

[stknrdr]

Thanks Jody.

The problem is that I can't seem to get an effective amunt of rudder (tailwheel) throw and apply brakes at the same time. It's one or the other. Perplexed, but working on it.

Any more ideas?

[marklamon]

I'm 6'3" and size 13 shoe. I have found the best time to do the mag check is during taxi. When you first give it the throttle to start moving the rpms are close to run up rpms. Mark

[joea]

I'm 6'3" and size 13 shoe. I have found the best time to do the mag check is during taxi. When you first give it the throttle to start moving the rpms are close to run up rpms. Mark

I do the same, checking the mags on the taxi out if its a long taxi. Rarely use the brakes on my plane, just not needed most of the time.

[Ted Karver]

Tim,

I agree with Jody; practice, practice, practice. I am 6'7" with 15 shoes. I also wear shoes with no heels, not only for more room to rotate my heels, but also it drops my knees out of the horizontal member just below the instrument panel. It's all tricky stuff, but that's the need for practice.
Another thing you might look at, is to lengthen the linkage (+/-1/2") between the front and rear brake pedals a slight amount. Some are cabled, while others such as my 7EC has metal tubes between the pedals. It serves the purpose of moving the front pedal a little forward, which gives you a little more "manuvering" room.
My 7EC also has a hand brake which I can use to slow the airplane until I am able to move my heels to the brake pedals, if necessary.

Ted

[Roger Anderson]

Practice. But they never get convenient. I finally developed enough technique of working my heals back while still keeping my toes on the rudders...if I anticipated a need for them in advance. Fortunately, you really don't need them anxiously very often. I think I prefer having to reach for them though than like the ones that are in the Chief...forever in your way when you don't want them.

[Tim Juhl]

I wear 14 wide shoes and am 6'1". When flying the champ I wear flat soled walking shoes and generally don't have too much trouble. If you have a situation where the airplane is moving at a good clip and you have to apply the brakes then the brakes become primary to the rudder. The amount of braking pressure on each wheel will determine where the airplane goes. Brakes are the last resort in stopping a developing ground loop.

Wear footwear that won't get in the way and practice until you become comfortable.

Tim

[mike newall]

I'm 6'1", size 11 - This is sounding a little risque don't you think

Anyhow - I have had 2 Champs, 2 Citabria's. The Champs had heel brakes and on both I would generally either be on rudder or brake, I wouldn't try to do both.

My reasoning is that generally, you don't need brakes on a Champ except for run ups or tight turns - I fly off grass by the way. I do remember that the Champ was harder on tarmac !

On landing, the rudder would keep me straight until taxi time, then I would only need brake to get a tight turn going or to break the tailwheel out.

[Jody Wittmeyer]

Sometimes you need both with a strong cross wind. (for taxiing) Rudder is generally more help than the brake for keeping it straight.

[shorty]

Is this considered heel brakes?
And how do you prevent calf cramps during ground ops?

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Also can they be changed to a different style of peddal to operate the brakes?

[joea]

No hassles as you rarely use the brakes unless stopping.

Yes you can change these to toe pedals but as you do not use the brakes that much its not really needed. The 11CC Chief had toe pedals standard so the paperwork and documentation is direct from the factory.

[Roger Anderson]

[quote="shorty"]Is this considered heel brakes?
And how do you prevent calf cramps during ground ops?


Those of course are brakes in a Chief. The Champ heel brakes are truly "heel brakes" in that they are not attached to the rudder bars and are located a considerable reach back extending up through the floor boards. On the Chief, while taxiing, I rest my heels on the floor boards and find the brakes easy to apply as needed, which is not often. However, for takeoff and landings, I raise my feet well up off the floor and onto the rudder bars, insuring that my heels don't unintentionally activate the brakes while working the rudders. I have my brakes adjusted as far down as possible, still giving some braking effect prior to bottoming out in travel.