Hangar Flying => Hangar Flying => Topic started by: ltaylor on August 27, 2007, 06:08:01 AM
Title: Wheel pants venting
Post by: ltaylor on August 27, 2007, 06:08:01 AM
I'm a new Long EZ owner/pilot; installed my wheel pants (mains), only to discover that the brakes generated a great deal of heat (cross wind TO/landing practice); has anyone designed any venting for thier wheel pants; is this a bad concept? Appreciate any feedback from all you EZ experts. This is a most marvelous plane and I'm really enjoying learning to fly her well; Walter Renko's Long EZ, 213EZ, 0-235
Title: Wheel pants venting
Post by: Bruce Hughes on August 27, 2007, 10:39:25 AM
Hi Whoeveryouare
It is considerate to sign your posts......
I think you installed the wheel pants too soon. Yes, they look good. Yes they give you a little more speed. NO you really don't need them right now.
Do you belong to the CSA? There was an article on venting many years ago. There is an index where you can look it up. I am sorry, I don't know exactly when it was written but I have a copy somewhere. Find the right date and Terry Schubert can furnish a copy. Or maybe I can; filing system is not great.
Bruce Hughes :D
Title: Wheel pants venting
Post by: ltaylor on August 28, 2007, 06:25:47 AM
Thanks Bruce; just sent in the join CSA.
Regards, Land Taylor
Title: Wheel pants venting
Post by: Drew on August 29, 2007, 11:22:48 AM
Also get hold of all the CPs. It is crucial that the owner have the plans as well as the CPs. I think the CPs are on line---I just use my TERF CD to look them up.
Your gear legs should have a metal sheild between the fiberglass gear leg and the axle. This should protect the leg from the radiant heat off of the disk. Many people also wrap the leg in this area with fiberfrax. Make sure that the brake line is protected.
On my longez, I vented the back of the wheelpants---in otherwords, I just cut the tips off. Then when I parked the plane nose down, all the heat went out the back.
My Cozy has a vent slots cut on top.
Bottom line---failing to protect your gear legs will get them melted.
Also---always do your flight testing with the pants off---at least the portion that involves highspeed taxi tests.
Title: I had this problem too
Post by: nmflyboy on August 31, 2007, 12:43:14 PM
I decided to get the saw out. I made some vent holes on the top of the pants over the rotors, it really helped and now the air vents easily.
Title: Appreciation
Post by: ltaylor on September 02, 2007, 07:24:40 AM
Thanks to all for your feedback and for the pictures of vented wheel pants.