Hydraulic disc brakes

[bob turner]

Forgive me for bumping this thread. Some folks in Calif are doing the conversion, and asked about the flex lines. The above is as good as I can do without drawing pictures.

Use care with Weatherhead tube nuts - some may be inferior imported stuff, and difficult to make work. I need to remember to mention that to Robbie - he supplies Weatherhead fittings with the Cub conversion.

It took me 15 months to get the approval for an installation on a Scott master cylinder Champ. But I got it. I am not convinced the Scott installation is even legal, but with my Field Approval I can make it legal. The aircraft now has hydraulic drum brakes, driven by the Scotts.

[Hiperchamp]

Bob;
Never mind; I re-read the whole thread and answered my own stoopid question...

Chris

[bob turner]

I guess this forum is not very active any more. I just got an e-mail, unsolicited, from the owner of the Champ I converted to Grove. He is still delighted. Almost a year of trouble-free flying. I need to get him to check the fluid level soon.

So, Chris - did it work out ok? Did you get the approval?

[Richard Murray]

Bob,

Everyone has migrated to Facebook for the daily exchange of information. I recently acquired a Chief with hydraulic brakes accomplished with a 337 and field approval.

I haven't had the time to research the conversion completely and hope to post more in the near future.

I had forgotten about the Grove project until your post.

Richard

[Hiperchamp]

I guess this forum is not very active any more. I just got an e-mail, unsolicited, from the owner of the Champ I converted to Grove. He is still delighted. Almost a year of trouble-free flying. I need to get him to check the fluid level soon.

So, Chris - did it work out ok? Did you get the approval?

Bob;
I got sidetracked with a panel rebuild and systems upgrade on a Velocity XLRG...I've been working on it since mid-July and got her back in the air New Years day!
After I get my hangar cleaned up I'm going to start on the Champ again; the wheels and brakes will be first on the to-do list. I'm going to do 337's for wheels and brakes separately for ease of approval (per the DER). As I don't facebook or twitter I'll post on here I guess...

Chris in Shreveport

[gusc]

My 7AC has a Cleveland disc conversion. It works great except for the huge amount of heel pressure required, don't really understand this?

[Richard Murray]

Gus,

Did they do the conversion to hydraulic brakes similar to the 7ECA? Do you happen have a 337 describing the conversion?

Richard

[gusc]

I'm not familiar with the 7ECA setup so can't answer that. It was already done when I got the Champ in '06.

However, I'll look for the 337 and send you some pics of the wheels.

[WildHare]

Got my Wheels and Brakes from Grove this week. Our FSDO does things backwards, they won't approve the 337 until they see the parts installed. We tried to challenge them on this and it was, do we really want the Field Approval or not, so we will do the installation and then they will come look at it.

Our 337 doesn't look anything like the others that have been approved. Our FSDO wouldn't accept it as written. Therefore we had to go the owner manufactured parts routes on the two non TSO'd/PMA parts in the kit, the clamp and extension. The FSDO got back to us insisting on this change in December, after having the paperwork in hand since the first of May!
Once we get installed and approved, we will post our 337, as I think some of the other FSDOs might like it also.

I can't wait to have non-cracking wheels and brakes that actually work!

[gusc]

Gus,

Did they do the conversion to hydraulic brakes similar to the 7ECA? Do you happen have a 337 describing the conversion?

Richard

I tried to attach wheel pics but they don't show up so it is best if you send me an email at egus DOT c AT centurytel DOT net and I'll send all directly.

I found a 337, I'll send it also. It doesn't say much though, I doubt the FAA would accept it today (Dated 6-'94)

[Richard Murray]

Well its a cold day in Ohio and I took the indoors time to copy the 337 for hydraulic brakes added to my Chief

[Richard Murray]

Sharing time on Valentines Day from Gus Causbie. Here is the 337 and pictures of his 7AC with hydraulic brakes.

[bob turner]

Glad to see this forum active again. I have neglected it.

I am still trying to figure out why folks put bleeder screws on the bottom of calipers. I se it all the time - is there an advantage?

On those 337s - all of the info is there; it just doesn't look polished. If an inspector is a good mechanic, he or she should be able to approve an installation using that kind of information. My FSDO likes a few more words, but the words themselves refer to FAA documents that say stuff like " Brakes should be adequate for the purposes intended".

I will be visiting my PMI Friday very early to attempt another field approval. He made an exception for me - he is not required to take appointments, or even answer my phone calls. In fact, I believe that the only FAA person who regularly answers letters, e-mails, etc., is the administrator. I hear he is a good guy.

[Paul Agaliotis]

Bob,
Most of the time the bleeders are on the bottom to pressure bleed the brakes. There also is a Champion Service letter to convert to the Hydraulic brakes. It's encompassed in a Model change instruction, 7AC to EC I think. It gives you the option to convert. Might be good information for the ASI.
Paul

[Richard Murray]

Paul,

Do you have access to the Champion kit #189 information referenced in the service letter?

http://aeronca.celinaux.com/SL/SL-56.pdf



Richard