Thats a cool idea even if it goes counter to the homebuilt creed "Keep
it simple stupid." Maybe you compromise on the brake function,
keeping your brakes on the mains, and put the motor on the castering
nose gear. Steer like usual with differential braking.

That might be a lot of juice stopping a 1,000 lb airplane from 60mph
to 0 in 10 seconds. Loads are easy though, you don't have to dump
that power into your battery. Think of it the other way around, how
much power would you need to accelerate 1,000lb to 60MPH in 10
seconds?

Modern jet fighters dump waste heat from the hydraulic system into
their wing tanks. Worst case scenario, heavy manuvering on low tanks.



"James M. Knox" wrote in message ...
(Malcolm Teas) wrote in
om:

"James M. Knox" wrote in message
I always figured if I was building a homebuilt I would investigate
some relatively small motor/brake assemblies that are used on smaller
electric automobiles.

My first thought when reading this was, "sounds cool!". And I started
to think it through.

All true. Of course, I was thinking primarily in terms of taxiing only a
short distance - into or out of a hangar, for example. I haven't done the
brake calculations, but I *think* (back of the hand calculations) that the
amount of power generated stopping the plane on the runway and taxiing in
is small enough that even a "fully charged" battery can easily absorb it.

Mostly just amusing and idle speculation... But I've seen some cold rainy
days when it would sure be nice to preflight in the hangar, climb in, and
just drive out. G

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James M. Knox
TriSoft ph 512-385-0316
1109-A Shady Lane fax 512-366-4331
Austin, Tx 78721
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