Dave Butler wrote:
Peter R. wrote:

With my Bonanza about to roll out of maintenance with its new
(overhauled) engine, I have been considering ways to preserve that
investment.
Recently, I came across an article discussing speedbrakes and was
wondering if anyone here has experience with speedbrakes in a small
aircraft.

I see the main advantage being the ability to slow and/or descend
without having to significantly drop power, which keeps the engine
warm. If true, this would be an excellent way to maintain engine health.

Looking for any comments, either pro or con, about this modification.
Thanks.


I have the Precise Flight speed brakes on my Mooney. I've never flown a
Bo, so I can't comment on that. On the Mooney, I'd say they're "nice to
have" but certainly not a necessity. I don't use them for high power
descents, but I do use them occasionally when I misplan a descent and
need to hurry up the descent, or when ATC asks for an expedited descent.

They've been relatively maintenance free, but there has been the
occasional "hang" when they fail to retract, usually asymmetrically. The
resulting roll is easily overpowered by ailerons. The hang is corrected
with cleaning and lubrication.

I wouldn't look for speedbrakes if I were buying an airplane. I wouldn't
install them if they weren't already on the plane. Since I do have them,
I'm happy they're there.

I'm not convinced shock cooling is an important issue, but that depends
on your particular religious inclination, I suppose.

One more thing: I should have added that they are vacuum powered, so put an
additional load on your vacuum pump. I have no idea how significant that is.
They also add a lot of distance to your vacuum plumbing, including a bunch
that's inside your wing where it is hard to inspect.