Bald Eagle Aviation

Matt Gunsch · **Posted:** Sun May 03, 2009 8:10 pm

air systems are lighter, and not subject to freezing in low temps.

By using air, you can eliminate several gallons of Hydraulic fluid, which is weight, as well as a fire hazard.
One drawback is trying to find a leak, it is much easier to spot red 5605, vs trying to spot a invisiable gas.

bdk · **Joined:** Sun May 02, 2004 1:16 am **Posts:** 11319

Pneumatic systems are lighter, non-flammable and faster acting.

51fixer · **Posted:** Sun May 03, 2009 8:33 pm

Airplanejunkie wrote:

What was the philosophy behind this?

I'm wondering about the advantages to using pneumatics

Thanks,

Steve

[/quote][/quote]
I honestly think the British got used to the hot air generated by politics over many years and figured out how to harness it in their aircraft.
Rich

Lynn Allen · **Posted:** Sun May 03, 2009 9:39 pm

51fixer wrote:

Lynn Allen wrote:

51fixer wrote:

Lynn Allen wrote:

Rich, what kinds of signs did you all see that made you pull the pump??

Thanks,

Lynn

Failed a couple air compressors due to lack of lubrication. Also has had an oil leak where you can't access it.
Rich

Roger that and thanks.. Is it something that can be O/H here in the states or do we swing by Ace/Napa aircraft parts and supplies??

Lynn

How do you pronounce NAPA with a British accent?
Rich

Stand by one.... :wink:

Lynn

Airplanejunkie · **Posted:** Mon May 04, 2009 4:52 pm

51fixer wrote:

Airplanejunkie wrote:

What was the philosophy behind this?

I'm wondering about the advantages to using pneumatics

Thanks,

Steve

[/quote]
I honestly think the British got used to the hot air generated by politics over many years and figured out how to harness it in their aircraft.
Rich[/quote]

And all this time I thought that was how a jet engine worked.....sigh

Airplanejunkie · **Posted:** Mon May 04, 2009 4:59 pm

Matt Gunsch wrote:

air systems are lighter, and not subject to freezing in low temps.

By using air, you can eliminate several gallons of Hydraulic fluid, which is weight, as well as a fire hazard.
One drawback is trying to find a leak, it is much easier to spot red 5605, vs trying to spot a invisiable gas.

I'm guessing then that the gear needs hydraulics due to weight/volume of air consederations.

Seems like it adds a layer of system complexity to have hydraulics and air, but then nobody asked me..... :lol:

Thanks to all for the info.

Steve

Jim Beasley · **Posted:** Mon May 04, 2009 9:03 pm

I'm as yankee as they come and I've got to tell you that the Spitfire air system is way better than the US hydraulic toe brake system. As much as we like to throw rocks at the Evil Empire (or big Fred), I've got to give them this one. jb

Airplanejunkie wrote:

Matt Gunsch wrote:

air systems are lighter, and not subject to freezing in low temps.

By using air, you can eliminate several gallons of Hydraulic fluid, which is weight, as well as a fire hazard.
One drawback is trying to find a leak, it is much easier to spot red 5605, vs trying to spot a invisiable gas.

I'm guessing then that the gear needs hydraulics due to weight/volume of air consederations.

Seems like it adds a layer of system complexity to have hydraulics and air, but then nobody asked me..... :lol:

Thanks to all for the info.

Steve

Hal B · **Posted:** Mon May 04, 2009 9:13 pm

Matt Gunsch wrote:

air systems are lighter, and not subject to freezing in low temps.

As long as its "dry" air. Add moisture into the equation and you've got a problem. Not extremely likely in an aircraft pneumatic system but still possible...

The big drawback to pneumatic systems is that air is compressible, hence the use of hyd. for the landing gear.

Airplanejunkie · **Posted:** Tue May 05, 2009 2:12 pm

Jim Beasley wrote:

I'm as yankee as they come and I've got to tell you that the Spitfire air system is way better than the US hydraulic toe brake system. As much as we like to throw rocks at the Evil Empire (or big Fred), I've got to give them this one. jb

Didn't mean to throw rocks

(all right, perhaps a nerf ball....)

I can imagine the pneumatic brakes work great, they worked well on the one aircraft I have flown that had them.

It's interesting to learn not only the differences between design philosophies, but the "whys." Usually there's a pretty good reason, whether it is operational, environmental, economic or whatever.

Steve

Matt Gunsch · **Posted:** Tue May 05, 2009 2:17 pm

[quote="Jim Beasley"]I'm as yankee as they come and I've got to tell you that the Spitfire air system is way better than the US hydraulic toe brake system. As much as we like to throw rocks at the Evil Empire (or big Fred), I've got to give them this one. jb

Jim
One thing, I have never seen a hydraulic brake system run out of fluid unless it is broke. I have seen planes with air operated brakes run out of air..............

Jim Beasley · **Posted:** Tue May 05, 2009 2:23 pm

No doubt. I just mean the design to provide a relative amount of air based upon rudder travel without the need for full deflection and brake (which can create issues in a gusty crosswind) is desirable.

We're working on an aux air pump setup as well kinda like in the YAKs

jb

Matt Gunsch wrote:

Jim Beasley wrote:

I'm as yankee as they come and I've got to tell you that the Spitfire air system is way better than the US hydraulic toe brake system. As much as we like to throw rocks at the Evil Empire (or big Fred), I've got to give them this one. jb

Jim
One thing, I have never seen a hydraulic brake system run out of fluid unless it is broke. I have seen planes with air operated brakes run out of air..............

aereform · **Joined:** Sun Jan 04, 2009 11:18 am **Posts:** 39

51fixer wrote:

Got the hangar rearranged this evening.
1st time this T-6 has moved since Nov.

Hopefully we will hang the QEC on the front end tomorrow.
Rich

No matter how much I try, I cannot rearrange our shop to look like yours!
Great job you are doing in taming the beast (both maint and flight ops)
Saso

Jim Beasley · **Posted:** Tue May 05, 2009 2:55 pm

Quiz: which plane ISN'T broken?

aereform wrote:

51fixer wrote:

Got the hangar rearranged this evening.
1st time this T-6 has moved since Nov.

Hopefully we will hang the QEC on the front end tomorrow.
Rich

No matter how much I try, I cannot rearrange our shop to look like yours!
Great job you are doing in taming the beast (both maint and flight ops)
Saso

51fixer · **Posted:** Tue May 05, 2009 3:25 pm

Jim Beasley wrote:

Quiz: which plane ISN'T broken?

I Know...I Know..... Pick Me!!!!.....Pick Me!!!!!!

The Forklift.

mkxiv · **Joined:** Mon Aug 07, 2006 4:35 pm **Posts:** 33

Jim, how is the Spit looking for Reading? I am in desperate need to hear a griffon!

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