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Permalink Reply by Mack P. Kreizenbeck on February 7, 2016 at 3:57pm

Greetings from Idaho,

I added brakes on the passenger side, because I like to fly from the right side now and then.

A parking brake comes in handy, especially when fueling on an uneven tarmac.

Just some thoughts,

Mack

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Permalink Reply by Bob Pustell on February 8, 2016 at 12:28am

If you are referencing an independent auxiliary braking system, Joseph, I would say no. The right and left brake systems are independent of each other and if one fails you still have the other. You will not longer have symetrical braking but you will have braking. I have never flown a General Aviation plane with a true secondary braking system, it would add too much weight, expense and complication. The only time I have flown with true secondary or auxiliary brakes it was in a plane built by Boeing, Northrop, Lockheed or Airbus.

The right side brakes are a personal decision. They, too, add weight and complication but are more commonly installed on light aircraft. I do not plan to install right side brakes on my 601XLB in an effort to keep things light and simple.

I am still undecided about whether to install a parking brake system or not. They can be handy when parking briefly to get fuel or even just to keep the plane stationary until you get chocks under the wheels but should not be used for long term parking. It puts too much strain on the brake seals and even a tiny hydraulic leak will leave you without a working parking brake in fairly short order. Chocks are better.

My two cents worth......

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