Experimenter is a magazine created by EAA for people who build airplanes. We will report on amateur-built aircraft as well as ultralights and other light aircraft.
Issue link: http://experimenter.epubxp.com/i/307497
EAA Experimenter 33 shouldn't be!) some now opt for DOT 4 fluid, which is auto- motive. It has a higher temperature tolerance and is avail- able worldwide. The downside to DOT is that it's a serious paint remover. It is also hygroscopic—it absorbs water from the air. Note: Mil-spec and DOT fluids are not compatible, and each requires a different seal material in the master cyl- inders and the calipers. Pick one, buy the right components, and don't mix. T HE BIG P IC T URE So, it's best to choose a complete brake system (kit) where parts will work properly all together and are properly sized for your aircraft; consider the total system anytime you think about changing any component. Just when you thought it would get easier, you'll realize that many specialty parts are available. In addition to the custom parts that Robbie Grove mentioned and the non- catalog parts that most manufacturers will provide, Beringer has a pressure-limiting system (called anti-lock in-line regu- lator, ALIR) that weighs about a pound and limits braking to a user-defined limit. The company said it allows maximum braking effectiveness, even if high but unequal pressure is applied to the pedals. To aid understanding and help form the questions you'll want to ask the manufacturers, Matco mfg 's George Happ points out that there is a huge amount of information on his new website ( www.Matcomfg.com ), discussing not only the items Matco sells but also the theories behind design, maintenance, and matching wheels and brakes to the appli- cations. This information is not designed to sell a particular brand; it's there to help enlighten the reader, and it does a good job of it. Reading all the manufacturers' information is highly rec- ommended. It is all important and can give insights that this short feature cannot. T IP S A ND W ISDOM Nick Kacludis said, "Match the tire and rim standards. And don't buy 'more axle than you need'; check with the airfram- er." To that end, all the "big four" offer complete systems— masters, brakes, and wheels—for OEM applications; all will also develop a parts list of what's needed for any known airframe; and all will offer advice on what to do with an all- new application. Know what you're buying and why. Robbie Grove said, "Your basic 5-by-5 [tire] can go on a lot of wheels, and the T e amount of f uid that must be moved and the pressure at which it needs to be moved are critical for proper brake operation. Don't neglect space for the fl uid reservoir and lines. Plan ahead for every component, as in this Air Cam. This Grove tubeless wheel sports a solidly mounted disc and fl oating caliper. E A A E X P _ M a y 1 4 . i n d d 3 3 EAAEXP_May14.indd 33 5 / 5 / 1 4 3 : 1 9 P M 5/5/14 3:19 PM