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Re: Long-Ez Speed Brake spring tension

Bob Holliston
 

10 or so years ago I substituted those nasty springs with a gas strut on a friends LongEZ. . I can't remember exactly how I did it. I know it's been working fine all these years. I'll get a pic. of it in the next couple days. Most people have gone to the electric actuator setup and it saves a little weight. 


On Thu, May 14, 2020 at 2:40 PM Terry Schubert <jschuber@...> wrote:
Many people set the landing brake spring tension ungodly high.  STOP that!
 
It is dangerous for the GIB when a spring breaks and hard for the pilot to open during normal operation. 
 
The brake should blow shut above 95 kts to prevent structure damage.  That closing pressure is to be controlled by length of the slot in the floor NOT by adding monster spring tension.  Study the geometry.  The push rod and the linkage should never be near straight or ever over center.
 
If your brake doesn't blow shut by itself at 95 kts then the floor slot is too long - shorten the slot so as to limit forward travel of the push rod.  That lowers the required spring pressure.  The plans spring is PLENTY strong.
 
Spring wire is sensitive to scratches and is more likely to break when scratched by pulling pliers that have slipped off the end of the spring or by folks that have attempted to reform the hook on the end.  An excessively sharp bend  increases the chance of spring failure.
 
 
Terry Schubert
retired Central States Association Newsletter Editor

Please note: message attached

From: "Filipe Rosa" <filiperosa@...>
To: members@canardzone.groups.io
Subject: [Canard Zone] Long-Ez Speed Brake spring tension
Date: Thu, 14 May 2020 12:53:54 -0700



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