Heel to Toe brakes

[Tadpole]

So it seems to me that alot of planes that originally were heel brakes have been converted over to toe brakes. Now, I'm a new guy, but I kind of liked the heel brakes in the Super Cub I did my TW training in.

I know this could probably go into the conversations like low vs. high wing and nose vs. tail dragger....but is there a reason it seems so many planes have been converted to toe brakes?

[dbudd]

has anybody when they converted a 22 to a 20 put in heal brakes.

[pistoncan]

has anybody when they converted a 22 to a 20 put in heal brakes.

I am doing a tandem wagabond and I considered mounting scott heel brakes for the rear seat with a cable to the front for the front passenger. My difficulty is finding a pair of reasonably priced scott units, the toe brakes are much cheaper.

[Throttle Pusher]

I like this thread
My last airplane had heel brakes and I really liked them alot.
I've been looking to replace the johnson bar with toe brakes but now Im thinking I would rather have the heel brakes.
This would also address the issue with the lost leg room when going to the toe brakes

would this be a field approval or is there a stc out there?

[redbarron55]

Perhaps I have been using heel brakes wrong all these years. I always thought that it was awfully handy to just pick up the heel to put pressure on the toe brakes, instead of having to (sometimes ) let off of the rudder to pick up the brake.
Personally I lke the toe brakes where when I am running out of rudder I have the brakes just a toe away.
Some toe brakes are positioned better (for me) than others, but I wouldn't trade any for my toe brakes.
The only time I wished that my Pacer had heel brakes was whne an FAA inspector ground-looped mine and my main concern was that they would over brake too and put the plane on its back.

[Curly]

"FAA inspector ground-looped mine and my main concern was that they would over brake too and put the plane on its back"
Exactly the same senario that put Patsy on her back!

[Throttle Pusher]

I wonder how easy it would be to get a field approval for the heel brakes on a 52 PA-22.
As I under stand it the 1952 was basicaly the same airframe as the Pacer. I wonder if I have the brackets for them on the frame.
I will have to take a look.

Does any one have a picture of a pacer heel brake set up?
Would love to see what Im looking for.

[redbarron55]

As far as I know there are no Tri or Pacers with heel brakes. These were pretty old school even in 1950.

[Throttle Pusher]

I was just thinking that when they went from T/D to nose pusher there could have been some bleed over on the frame effectivity. Brackets on the early 22's that were on the 20's.

[Grantmac]

I was just thinking that when they went from T/D to nose pusher there could have been some bleed over on the frame effectivity. Brackets on the early 22's that were on the 20's.

Even the Vags and Clippers had toe brakes, I don't think any shortwings had heel brakes.

How easy toe brakes are to deal with is a direct consequence of how they are set-up. I like to have to reach for the brakes, so my current set-up has the pedals tilted a little too far towards me. I'm forced to land with my feet on only the bottom of the pedals, then slide up to get on the brakes.
Fortunately there are still a few threads of adjustment left so I can get them set a bit closer to my preference.

-Grant