Help: Spade Grip Brake Lever

ATAG_Snapper · #1 09-05-2012, 01:45 AM

I figure if they had to hold the brakes for a period of time (ie holding for takeoff, doing runups), it was easier for them to hold the lever with the right side of the spade grip in their grasp as well. However, it does seem like a helluva travel, so I'll ask over at the A2A forum. If I'm right, Krupi can buy me a beer. If not, he'll have to shout out for yours.

WTE_Galway · #2 09-05-2012, 05:50 AM

No idea on the arc of travel but pilot reports I have read described the lever as "very light to operate" and "similar to using a bicycle brake lever" .

I also do not the believe the lever was just an on or off affair, varying pressure on the lever varied the amount of braking. A long throw would give more precision when braking.

By all accounts almost no pressure was required to operate the brakes. Braking on the ground and turning in a Spitfire was regarded as much easier than the same manoeuvres in US aircraft with pedal brakes.

JG52Krupi · #3 09-05-2012, 08:51 AM

Thanks guys for the help guys.

Snapper while they are normally very detailed in that sim I think it is wrong, the shape of the brake lever means it will clash with part of the grip before it could swing that far to the left.

bolox · #4 09-05-2012, 09:29 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pe_mHveCsos

10.40 seems to show it best

Sternjaeger II · #5 09-05-2012, 09:52 AM

I don't think there's a set rule for the travel of the brake lever, it's pretty much an "ON-OFF" tap for the air to brakes, but obviously it doesn't go beyond the spade grip inner side, otherwise it would interfere with the other fingers.
A pilot that owns a Spit and a Hurri here in the UK told me once that even if on paper it sounded like a good system, in practice there's no way to modulate the braking, it's always done by small dabs of brake lever pressure. The main issue with these machines is that the drum brakes can overheat and stick, which would mean ending up with a nose down (and costly repairs).