Had an interesting experience today - my first turbine gear-up landing. [&o]

My HotSpot uses a Jetronics proportional (electronic) brake valve....I noticed when I picked the plane up that the red light on the valve was flashing slowly - and that I had apparently lightly bumped the slider switch that controls my brakes at some point during the flight. When I refilled the air tank to look for leaks, etc., I could see that the brake valve was slowly pulsing the brake and dumping air with each pulse.

That must be why I ran out of air. Is this typical behavior for this unit? If so, it's change to a Smooth Stop mechanical brake switch for me!

Barry

PS - YES! I do know not to run the gear and brakes on the same tank - at least, I do now.

Perfectly normal!! This unit varies the pulse to achieve "proportional" action.....Completely worthless for attempting to partially set your brakes in the air for a short roll out upon landing....Whether you meant to or not!!!

You should really look into splitting your pnuematic systems like I and many others do. Run one system for your gear only and the other to operate your wheel and speed brakes. It seems that the wheel brake systems are more prone to get problematic concerning leaks than the retracts. I guess you found this out the hard way...

Kevin

Thanks Kevin. Normally I would use separate air systems but I bought this bird RTF as my "turbine trainer" and have been too lazy to add a second air tank.

Oh well! Live and learn. I've busted/scraped it up twice now...it is so ugly with primer spots that I am now calling it the "Flying Roach"...but is still hauls *** and turns and burns pretty good!

barry

LOL!!!! "The Flying Roach"!!!! Hey....It's still flying, right???? I wouldn't worry about what it looks like as it seems to be fulfilling your purpose. What jet(s) do you have planned for the future???

Kevin

I've got a Viperjet on the bench now (waiting for the correct Robostruts to complete it), and a Kingcat (hopefully) after that - if I can find the duckets to buy one, that is.

FYI, the Roach took to the air again today - four flights...that makes for 30 in the last two weeks. It's been a very good month for flying!

I plumb my brakes to the down side air. Even if the brakes leak the gear are already down. Might want to try it that way.

Wow, just when I thought I'd learned it all. Great TIP Tom! I never thought of that one and nobody has ever offered that tip here so far as I can tell.

Thanks,

Sean

Awesome tip, Tom - Thanks!