New Brakes on my BC12D

[M Towsley]

Re: New Brakes on my BC12D

Working off of concrete all the time I have to have the brakes to run-up, exit runway, taxi to hangar, stop at hangar, etc. Never have had a problem as long as they are properly adjusted. Speaking of that, Hank, someone over on FB posted that pdf on how to adjust Shinn brakes you provided. I was going to re-post it but figured it was on here somewhere.

[Bird]

Re: New Brakes on my BC12D

Looking over the paperwork I have for my crate it appears that several intrepid airmen have kissed the ground since 42.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: New Brakes on my BC12D

It is on here (somewhere). The brakes are really NOT that hard to keep adjusted, but then I actually ENJOY messing with mechanical stuff (had several English cars, a Taylorcraft is NOTHING compared to them). My brakes actually do hold pretty good, but on pavement at full power they can slip a little.
One thing I NEVER do is use the parking brake. On mine THAT is hard to keep adjusted. I just don't trust it. I would NEVER prop her with the parking brake holding the plane. I TIE THE TAIL or have someone in the cockpit.
Hank

By the way, the Face Book Taylorcraft site is really taking off. LOTS of people there I never heard of. We are NOT reaching everyone here!

[jim cooper]

Re: New Brakes on my BC12D

I agree with CVAVON! Shinn brakes were great in the 30's. his current brakes are much more reliable and if an emergency arises, ( like a good gust in a cross wind landing like I have experienced many times) a quick stab on the opposite brake will save you from going off the runway!.....or worse. The shinn brakes would not hold my tcraft during run up which is pitiful. I like to fly not f... Around with antiquated brakes or worry that they won't be there when I need them. I use brakes a lot but its different on grass than on hard surface. Years ago, forced to land down wind on a grass strip in bad weather, good brakes saved my Stearman from going thru a 3 rail horse fence made of oak. If one is worried about weight, lose 10 lbs. JC

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: New Brakes on my BC12D

Taking off 10# is a good idea for almost ALL of us, even with the old brakes! I managed to drop 25# by NOT thinking in pounds. I measured my weight loss in gallons of fuel. Turned out to be great motivation.
Hank

[cvavon]

Re: New Brakes on my BC12D

There are two trains of thought here and it boils down to we have the owners that polish and talk taylorcraft and fly once or twice a year to a 6000 ft paved run way or the ones that like to explore the off air port and do it in a safe manner with reliable equipment that works every time. It's not that the shinns are bad they are OLD technology that just barely worked when they were new and some of us want more out of our planes this is why tcraft died an early death they were narrow minded and did not advance with times and use newer technology oh and has any one ever weighed the solid steel axle verses a 1.25 in tube axle there is 4 lbs back by changing that

[M Towsley]

Re: New Brakes on my BC12D

My opinion is why change what works? I don't do off-airport landings, really no where around here to do that. If you have seen one corn/bean field you have seen them all. I don't live in Alaska or anywhere else that matters to land off-airport. Other airports are mostly pavement, unfortunately, with a grass strip here and there. I can plant my plane just about anywhere, getting out is another matter. Just takes a little skill, not necessarily brakes. A lot of it is adjustment and not burning them up every time you land. A little energy management here and there.

And yes, Hank, the FB page seems to be doing well with lots of people unaware of us over here.

[lfries]

Re: New Brakes on my BC12D

My brakes wouldn't hold for a run up. I considered this normal. The last annual after changing the tires there was noticable drag. We found the horseshoe/spreader bar constantly had some tension not allowing the shoes to have no pressure. Adjusted the cable and now they have no problem holding for the run up plus RPM's.

[Guest]

Re: New Brakes on my BC12D

There are two trains of thought here and it boils down to we have the owners that polish and talk taylorcraft and fly once or twice a year to a 6000 ft paved run way or the ones that like to explore the off air port and do it in a safe manner with reliable equipment that works every time. It's not that the shinns are bad they are OLD technology that just barely worked when they were new and some of us want more out of our planes this is why tcraft died an early death they were narrow minded and did not advance with times and use newer technology oh and has any one ever weighed the solid steel axle verses a 1.25 in tube axle there is 4 lbs back by changing that

Hi Chuck,

Golly I guess I started something here without realizing waht I did.

My original post was meant in humor, notice the smiley.

I was refering to that 1/2 set of gear that got from you as well.

But as I said, it was humor. at least so I thought.

Dave

[cvavon]

Re: New Brakes on my BC12D

Model T fords worked but would you drive one on the interstate today I don't think so. Yes the shinns worked when they were new and were tried by a few of the small plane companies for a short time and were dropped for better designs that were easier to maintain and worked better. If we all thought like you we would still be driving horse and buggies and there would not be air planes let alone other modern things we live with now days. and the utmost important thing is SAFETY!!!!!! not if it works and the shinns will not afford me the amount of safety and dependability that i want so what works for a hanger queen will not work for me

[cvavon]

Re: New Brakes on my BC12D

Dave i knew what you were doing no problem did you ever get them extended

[M Towsley]

Re: New Brakes on my BC12D

Wow, Chuck. Don't take this too seriously. We all know you like your brakes. Not everyone likes your brakes. I am not going to tear into my plane to add potentially leaky hydraulic brakes. You are flying a model t, not a Cirrus. I like my model t and its brakes. If I want to go fast I take out the '65 AC Cobra. If I wanted hydraulic brakes I would buy something a heck of a lot faster, but I have friends with those planes. I am content and my plane flies regularly just fine. Different missions...