www.brantly.info

Has anybody ever had to change there rotor brake lining?

After I first bought my ship I took some dual from another Brantly owner that was reluctant to use his brake. He claimed it would be less wear.

If anybody has information on this I would like to know.

How long will the lining last?

What kinda of a job is it to change?

Thanks,

Don L.

Don,

I had my Rotor Brake changed at the annual in February, it has not worn out since. I ordered the lining from the factory. The A&P who usually works on my helicopter, Ray Burch, changed it in about 30 minutes. I believe he had to put some rivets in as well.

Steve

Thanks Steve.

It doesn't sound like to bad of a job.

I won't be so reluctant to use it now.

Don

I had to change the rotor brake a few times. A couple of times were because I didn't release the brake all the way after start. (Dumb Me!) Also, it will wear fairly quickly if you apply it a too high an RPM. It's not the easiest job to replace the lining. You need special rivits and tools. It is easier to buy a whole new assembly (for around $75). I found that for me, it was just more economical to just let the rotors spin down after shutdown. (What's a couple of minutes.) And I just used it primarily during start.

After engine shutdown, can you raise collective instead of use the brake?

The Pilot Operations Handbook for te B-2B specifically says not to raise the collective during shutdown to slow the blade speed. I usually just do a comprimise and let it wind down to about 50 rpms and then apply the brake (manual says not to activate until rpms are below 200).

Steve

Hey Guys:

Using the rotor brake, especially at too high an RPM causes heat which
I think will be transmitted through to the bottom of the transmission,
causing the lower transmission seal to leak prematurely.

Fixing this will be pretty expensive.

I barely use mine at all on shutdown, unless I'm in a real big hurry
to get out.

Bryan Cobb