| Author | Message | ||
     Tom R. Hutchison (Tomhutch) |
After talking to several Express owners I have decided to install speed brakes into my closed out wings. I bought the speed brakes from Aero Options Inc. Bill Maddox at Aero Options recommends installing the brakes outboard of the horizontal stablizer and about 75% of cord aft of the leading edge. Would someone who has an existing speed brake installation measure the position of their brakes. I want to be sure before I go and cut a hole in the upper wing skin. If anyone else is interested in how you install these into a closed wing, I'll document the procedure and share all the "gory" details. Tom | ||
| LOUIE LACY (Llacy) |
TOM How much do they cost? llacy@netease.net | ||
| Tom R. Hutchison (Tomhutch) |
$2985 including shipping. Tom | ||
| Brynjar Thordarson (Benny) |
I'm installing speed brakes in my wings. The best procedure for that comes from my friend Jerry Sjostrand. He might "sell" you a set of them. The Olson manual (on the net) doesn't have the procedure. Rgds. BENNY | ||
| Reinhard Metz |
Here's another (probably obnoxious) suggestion: Save the weight and cost and don't install them at all! I've never felt a need for them and know other flying Express owners who feel the same way. $2985 would go a long way toward something really nice, like an IFR approved GPS! Cheers! Reinhard Metz | ||
| Tom R. Hutchison (Tomhutch) |
Not a bad suggestion. However, I have already made the investment. I am sure this is one of those options you can do without, but I didn't want to regret it and cut up my wing later after I had everything finished. Tom | ||
| Gary Markwardt |
Tom: As I mentioned at OSH, I am interested in the "gory details". Please do post them. Gary | ||
| Anonymous |
Tom, We have speed brakes on our airplane and love them. We had a print from Precise Flight that detailed where they should be positioned. At first glance, I would be very skeptical of mounting them outside the horizontal stabilizer, as it seems that would disrupt the airflow over the ailerons, causing low speed control problems. Ours are positioned quite a bit inward. I will take a measurement and get back to you. We have no adverse qualities because of the speed brakes and when you have to lose a lot of altitude in a hurry, like going into Salt Lake City, they come in very handy. The airplane has been landed with them deployed, with no problem. Jim Butler | ||
| tom ware New member Username: Tommie Post Number: 14 Registered: 06-2000 |
Fuel Selector: My Ct has four tanks with probes. how have some other builders worked out the selector valve set up ?Left and right mains and the draw from both aux. tanks? | ||
| Phil & Margie Hodge New member Username: N410mp Post Number: 7 Registered: 01-2000 |
Tom: Do not hook up your selector to draw from more than one tank at a time. If the inlet line in one tank unports, you will only get the air from that tank, not the fuel from the other. You can only do that successfully on a high wing aircraft, not on a low wing like the Express. I have a 4 to 1 valve from Express, and just a single return for my Continental fuel injection to the left inner tank. One of these days I'll set up a two gang 4 way valve to return to the same tank I'm drawing from, but that's low on the priority list. Phil | ||
| Mark Rich New member Username: Mrich Post Number: 4 Registered: 01-2003 |
I have the same 4:1 valve but have a Lycoming so no return line. Works well for fuel management, I only use the aux tanks on long trips. The fuel lines are a little cumbersome but not a problem. Mark | ||
| Jim Oyler New member Username: Midniteoyl Post Number: 32 Registered: 07-2003 |
Could always make a 1.5 liter Surge Tank to take care of air bubble problems - puts gas in the engine bay though. | ||
| Jim Ward New member Username: Jehward Post Number: 3 Registered: 02-2000 |
Tom - I bought my Andair valve directly from the Andair Factory per the info below. A little slow to respond, but received it in the end. I've included his email address at the bottom. This was about a year ago. "Thanks for the enquiry. Yes we do now make a fuel selector for 4 fuel tanks with an off position. It is the FS20b8. The valve is a 3/8" fuel selector for use with 3/8" fuel lines. If this is the same size as the lines that you are running then it will be sutiable. At this time we don't make the same valve in 1/2" however we do a 4 way valve for 1/2" lines i.e. where it has a selection every 90 degrees. The problem with this valve and the reason we developed the 5 way, is because it has no OFF position, although we can supply an auxaliary shut off valve. Gascolator Either the GAS375 or the GAS500 are sutiable for your areoplane (depending on what lines you are running) the GAS375 is for 3/8" lines and the the GAS500 is for 1/2" lines. The price on the FS20b8 (5 way) is $249.60 FS25x6 (1/2" 4 way no Off) $265.00 FS25x1 (1/2" Shut off) $240.00 GAS375 $155.00 GAS500 $232.00 I hope this information helps and if there is anything else i can help you with please contact me. Best Regards Owen Phillips owen@andair.co.uk" | ||
| Jim Oyler New member Username: Midniteoyl Post Number: 33 Registered: 07-2003 |
Found this for a cheaper alternative to the Gascolator supplied by aircraft suppliers: PERMA-COOL ® FUEL FILTER/WATER SEPARATOR SYSTEM http://www.jcwhitney.com/SearchCatContainer.jhtml;$sessionid$353ADNAAAAWDSQSNDV1CFFCCJUOXKIV0?_requestid=36346 Filters to a smaller micron and cheaper. | ||
| Anonymous |
I have the same Andair 4 way valve and it works great. I installed it about a year ago, replacing a three way plus off, where I had my aux tanks tied together. That actually worked ok and did not draw any air, but was a bit unnerving, as it would usually draw down one aux to almost empty, then work on the other one, and both would exhaust together. So, I took it out. Reinhard Metz | ||
| Jay Villalva New member Username: Jay Post Number: 13 Registered: 11-1999 |
Does any have the wiring diagrams and installation drawings for Precise SpeedBrakes for the Express? Photos related to installation would be nice, too... | ||
| ali moghaddas New member Username: Amoghadd Post Number: 28 Registered: 09-2003 |
I have installed Precise SpeedBrakes on my Express (not flying yet). I used the schematics that they have for Lancair IV. I can provide you a copy (PDF)if you can email me your email address. Thanks, Ali amoghadd@yahoo.com |