Heel to Toe

jkvincent · Post by **jkvincent** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 11:59

...has anyone ever converted Heel Brakes to Toe Brakes? any info out there, cost?, installation difficulty?, STC?, whatever? Why you ask? Well, 2 reasons, I've been flying with Toe Brakes for 33 yrs and.....I don't know, I guess I'm getting old ...I can't remember the other reason! thanks, Jim

7GC · Post by **7GC** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 13:20

I think Safe Air had a kit, it was pretty expensive. Maybe Wag Aero still has it? I checked into it several years ago when I first got my Champ. I quickly got used to the heel brakes and decided I didn't need to change.

MikeB · Post by **MikeB** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 14:40

Jim,
WAG lists one for the 7ACA ($3200) Not sure if that would work for a 7AC. They do have a hydraulic conversion kit to replace the cable operated heel brakes (but it's still a heel brake kit, I think ...$2700 ).

Actually the heel brakes are quite good once you get used to them. The only difference seems to come in when you jump from one plane to another. I have the cable operated Goodyear disk brakes on mine and I finally got them working well.

Mike

gusc · Post by **gusc** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 17:10

I've owned airplanes with toe brakes for 27 years and had a heck of a time with the Champ until I realized that the main problem was my shoes.

The present day sneakers have such thick heels that I couldn't feel the brakes. I dug out some old deck sneakers with thin heels and found that they work great. I remembered that I used to wear them when I flew my first 7AC.

Loafers would probably be just as good. Don't know yet what I will do in cold weather though!

kevin mielke · Post by **kevin mielke** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 20:50

In cold weather you should be on skies so heel toe who cares

jkvincent · Post by **jkvincent** » Wed Jul 19, 2006 00:46

Hey Kevin, ....skies, yea I'm in Houston, Texas and I'm lookin' for a nice set! LOL, it was 90+ today. No, ...not your Houston, I see you're up there north of Anchorage (next to Houston, Ak.) I was up in Anchorage last week, I'll be up there again next week on the 27th, I work for an airline, (work hard, fly right)...sure is fine out there this time of year. anyway, got a good laugh out of your skies, take care, Jim

jc pacquin · Post by **jc pacquin** » Wed Jul 19, 2006 21:59

just imagine the number of people who have flown heel brakes on aeroncas and taylorcrafts since the 30's. I always wear low cut sneakers, plain with regular soles.....or loafers. Once you get used to them, the heel brakes are fine. You shouldn't be using them much anyway if you have some time in the aircraft except for an occasional tap or turning around. I think its just practice rather than expensive needless conversions. Aeronca's are real pussycats, very predictable trainers. Jim Pacquin

gusc · Post by **gusc** » Wed Jul 19, 2006 22:20

jc,

Spoken like a man who has never experienced the thrill of a ground loop!

Paul Agaliotis · Post by **Paul Agaliotis** » Wed Jul 19, 2006 22:24

The problem with the brakes during a ground loop is the one you REALLY need is about a foot in the air!
Paul

Ron Babos · Post by **Ron Babos** » Wed Jul 19, 2006 22:49

Toe brakes, heel brakes, x wife , new wife. Once you get accustomed to them they will feel ok. At first I didn't care for the heel brakes but now I don't give it a second thought. As mentioned the correct footwear will make the transition easier.
Ron

National Aeronca Association Bulletin Board

Heel to Toe

Heel to Toe

heel brakes

toe to heel