This is what a broken brake line scene looks like after ignition by hot rotor – not nice.

One of my many “adventures” in 10 years of flying my rotary powered RV-6A.  Afterward, I replaced all aluminum brake line with stainless steel braided (Teflon inside) brake lines, replace the traditional low-flash (240F) point aviation brake oil with the newer aviation brake fluid (flash point 430F), replaced the rotor disc with ones twice as thick (keeps rotor temps lower) and happy to say this incident has not occurred again.

Did I mention that when you lose a brake you have no differential steering – ended up exiting the runway and into a shallow ditch – no serious damage other than the brand new Michelin tire and tube and the wheel pant. But, a ride that did get my heart rate elevated – oh, yes, replaced seat cushion {:>).

Ed Anderson

Rv-6A N494BW Rotary Powered

Matthews, NC

eanderson@carolina.rr.com

http://www.andersonee.com

http://members.cox.net/rogersda/rotary/configs.htm#N494BW

http://www.dmack.net/mazda/index.html