I use mine very frequently too.
I use mine very frequently too.
John Evens
Arvada, CO
Kitfox SS7 N27JE
EAA Lifetime
Chap. 43 honorary Lifetime
Very grateful for the feedback! Heather @ Kitfox suggested that we get this upfront as it would be more difficult to install later, and we were just trying to understand if this would be something that we would want. Clearly it is something we'll want to do!
Jim et. all, how exactly does the parking brake work? I was under the impression that it just acted as another brake cylinder but seems like I might have a misunderstanding on this. Is there any significant force on the parking brake toggle itself to engage/diengage? Any concerns with it ending up in the park position/being bumped?
Aaron & Ashley
Newbie pilots working towards our PPL. Kitfox ordered (OSH19)!
Corvallis, OR
The knob/lever controls a selectable check valve. As normally used, the pilot applies pressure with the pedals, then pulls the lever to lock that pressure in the lines with the valve, holding the brakes. To release, press the pedals and move the lever to off.
As someone else pointed out, the valve only blocks flow in one direction, so it can be turned on before pressure is applied. That feature, while handy on the ground, has potential to cause a mishap. If the lever is accidentally pulled on in flight, the brakes will hold any pressure you apply after landing (or before, which would be worse). Something that unusual might be hard to immediately recognize and correct. It's probably not a bad idea to include parking brake lever position in your final approach scan/checklist.
Eric Page
Building: Kitfox 5 Safari | Rotax 912iS | Dynon HDX
Member: EAA Lifetime, AOPA, ALPA
ATP: AMEL | Comm: ASEL, Glider | ATCS: CTO
Map of Landings
Eric, that potential problem you mentioned is exactly why the parking brake lever is mounted way up front on the top of the console. In that position I cannot even reach it with my shoulder harness on, and it is clear out of the way of being accidentally kicked. It takes a very deliberate motion to turn it on or off.
Jim Ott
Portland, OR
Kitfox SS7 flying
Rotax 912ULS
Mine is in a position far forward on the center council that is practically “impossible” to apply or bump inadvertently, same as Jim.
John Evens
Arvada, CO
Kitfox SS7 N27JE
EAA Lifetime
Chap. 43 honorary Lifetime
Good point, guys. I made my comment based solely on how it works, rather than considering where it's mounted. Putting it out of reach under normal flight conditions certainly mitigates the problem.
Eric Page
Building: Kitfox 5 Safari | Rotax 912iS | Dynon HDX
Member: EAA Lifetime, AOPA, ALPA
ATP: AMEL | Comm: ASEL, Glider | ATCS: CTO
Map of Landings
Mine is mounted on the back side of the seat truss, like I showed in the picture I posted of it. It is very much out of the way there, actually the knob is a bit hard to reach with my fingers, and where it's located, I'll probably never kick it, actually the way it works, you have to pull the knob forward to set it, pushing it back releases the parking brake. JImChuk