SonexBuilders.net

here's a question to see if anyone has already plowed this ground.....

Because of our taxiway configurations at home, it would be really very, very nice to have a full-swiveling tail wheel on the Xenos. That's really easy to do - in fact, I already have one on hand. The problem is that to really make it useful, I need to have differential braking capability. I already ordered the optional hydraulic brakes, and have those - but of course, they are designed to hook a single brake lever.

Has anyone already designed and implemented a dual-braking system for a Xenos or Sonex? Heel brakes are fine in my book - I learned to fly with them. If I can copy what has already worked, it will save me some trial and error!

Paul

Paul,

When I first started flying my Waiex I used the mechanical cable brakes with the machined AeroConversions brake drums. They worked fine but when the new hydraulic brake setup became available I ended up fabricating my own design using the AeroConversions brake kit but adding Hegar master cylinders on my own self designed brake pedals (attached to the stock Sonex rudder bars), a Matco parking brake (which I've never used), all connected to the Sonex brakes. It does the job but in my opinion the setup doesn't have nearly enough stopping power to be used with a full swiveling tail wheel. For my purpose of additional directional control during crosswind situations it's sufficient, but barely. Not that I'd want to do this, but it will not hold the airplane during really high power ground runs.

As my airplane was already finished I had to remove the welded rudder assembly from the fuselage by crawling under the panel which was by far the worst part of the job. If you haven't finished your forward fuselage yet it would be much simpler.

I'll try to get some pictures to you ASAP of my setup. There are others that have done the same so hopefully you'll get a lot of good ideas on this thread.

I have differential toe brakes on my Sonex. They are used with GP brakes pre-Sonex hydraulic brakes, but should work with Sonex brakes. Full drawings are posted on the old Yahoo Sonex Builder's forum: files section: modifications to Sonex #1327, or send me your e-mail address if interested.

David A. Sonex TD, CAMit 3300.

I follow threads like this with interest, since I plan to install toe brakes in my Onex. I ordered the hyd brake option, and I'll convert to a full swivel tailwheel. I wish Sonex offered toe brakes as an option. I'd bet it would be really popular.

Cheers,
Rusty

https://www.flyboyaccessories.com has a real slick swiveling tailwheel for the Sonex.
I have one. Its locked and direct steer like the stock one until you reach full rudder deflection, then it free swivels 360 degrees. I have differential brakes and can pirouette on one main wheel at the run up area. It also allows you to move the plane around the hangar very easily.

For those who want toe brakes, I've fabricated a pretty nice system that slides into the tubes on the stock rudder pedals and work with Hagar master cylinders.
Given enough incentive, I could fabricate a batch of these.

-Removed-

Fastcapy wrote:John those are a really neat design. How are they mounted in the pedals? I understand they slip inside the tube but how are they secured in there and how are you mounting the master cylinders? I see the tab on these but are you just bolting the other end to the vertical rudder pedal tube?

Depending on cost it is something I would be interested in.

Yes, the smaller tube slides into the rudder peddle tube. The brake pedal is behind the frame. I made a bracket from AL channel that is mounted to the rudder frame at the top of the cylinder. So the cylinder is bolted to the top mount and the tang on the brake pedal. Its held in just by the cylinder. It doesn't slide out. You could make the inner tube long enough to go through the outer pedal and bolt a cap to the inner retaining it in the tube, but I've found that unnecessary. There are two sonex here using this setup with zero problems in well over 150 flight hours.

John

I gotta see a photo - you lost me there.

I'll try to snap one this weekend.