Grove Wheels and Brakes

[Nathan K. Hammond]

I've read a rumor that ACA is going to switch over to Grove's once their TSO is squared up. I'm curious, do you think they'll approve them for the current production aircraft only? Or will we be lucky and they approve it to the TCDS so we can use them? $2700 for Clevelands and a piece of paper is ludacris.

Hey Jerry Jr. you out there??

nkh

[WWhunter]

Just bringing this back to the top to see what is up. I REALLY want to put hydraulics on my Champ and can't see paying the outragous price for the Clevelands.

[CptKelly]

Yeah, and the Grove units work really well. They will hold my 180 hp Smith Kit at full throttle. I'd buy them again in a country minute.

Mike

[Jon B.]

Can you, instead, get a set of Clevelands from a salvage house? My Champ has Cessna part numbers on the wheels & brake calipers.

They have 1.5 inch axles, so are a direct swap. The backing plates need to be modified, maybe...

The single-puck calipers on mine will hold at full (90 screaming horse) power. On grass, she'll slide but on pavement, she sticks hard. I can lift the tail when braking for short fields pretty easily.

These were installed when 57B was converted from a 7FC to an EC as part of the field approval. Such things may not get an approval today, though.

Jon B.

[WWhunter]

Jon,

I might have to come down that way one day and have a look at what you have. It have to be in the 172 though since my Champ is on floats.

If you are up this way stop in.

Seems like you have been awful quite lately...are you finished with your move?

Keith

[Jon B.]

Jon,

I might have to come down that way one day and have a look at what you have. It have to be in the 172 though since my Champ is on floats.

If you are up this way stop in.

Seems like you have been awful quite lately...are you finished with your move?

Keith

Keith:

I looked at my logbook yesterday. I'm ashamed to say that in the last three months, I've flown only about 5 hours!

We're living at the 'farm' in a 30-foot camper trailer. The house has been moved in and the masons are building a basement under it. Maybe late next week we can set the house down adn finish the project. I've never moved a house before, so it's an interesting job.

On Sunday, I hope to bring the Champ out to the farm to see if it will fit through the opening in the pole barn. Several years ago, I watched a guy maneuver an Avid Flyer through a door that was just over half the wing-span. I'm going to see if I can duplicate his method.

I haven't even been to one fly-in this year. I hope to get to Milaca for sure, and down to Surfside. I may get a flight review from Brian, in his float-equipped PA-12. (Can I mention a PA-12 on this site and not get chastised?)

You surely can examine the K-A Champ if/when we meet up somewhere. Those brakes are great. If ever I put bigger tires (I have 8.50s) on her, I may put on a set of double-puck calipers. Or, I may buy half of a PA-18 (there I go again!).

Jon B.

[mike newall]

Jon,

My brother owns and flies (sic) a PA12.

We have robust and interesting discussions about the various merits of P*per and Aeronca/Bellanca aeroplanes.

The best thing is I have lent him my Citabria for the summer while he and his group recover the P*per.

I said he would fall in love with the handling, visibility and practicality - I may be winning

[Jon B.]

Thread drift warning!

The P*per 11, 12 & 18 are pretty decent aircraft. What they really lack for me is creature comfort. The front seat of any of them is bad and the back of the -12 is the worst. In all cases, the stick is in your face, you can't see (especially from the back of the 12) and the seats are just plain crap. They *do* fly, though!

I still like the idea of building a serious bush-hopper from an EC frame with 160hp on the front, 31-inch tires, an 82-inch flat prop and Cub-type landing gear (ala Carl Bahn).

Leave the door off for summer fun flying, add a set of VGs and a Baby Bushwheel tail and go anywhere in style and comfort.

Like Dusty's, the elevator cables should be routed under the floor to open up a decent cargo bay. Leave the rear seat out and have an 8-foot cargo area with some good tie-down rings to keep stuff where it belongs.

Jon B.

[WWhunter]

Just bringing this BTT to see if there has been any headway made.

[Paul Agaliotis]

I heard that ACA was now using the Grove equiptment. Check with them for the correct information.
Paul

[WWhunter]

Thanks Paul

[WWhunter]

Just an update. I got this back from ACA today. Not good news.

Keith,

At this time we are using Grove master cylinders, when their wheels and brakes are TSO'd they will be type data for the spring gear models. I don't believe any of this will work for your airplane.

Jody Bradt
ACA Engineer

[BobK]

I was in Burls shop last week, and he said he was getting PMA/TSO (or some sort of FAA blessing) to sell Grove wheels & double-puck brakes out of his shop. I don't remember the price he told me, but it sounded like almost half of what Clevelands are going for.

He had a set there, and they looked pretty nice !

Hasta ~

Bob K.
Anchorage, AK

[WWhunter]

Wooo Hooo!!! Thanks Bob, that sounds like great news.
When you hear anything more please let me know. I will be in MN for the duration now and may finally doing some wheel flying. Usually it is 90% float time.
Keith