Piper Retractable Drivers,,,,

HGeorgeC*HGeorgeC*
in General Discussion

Hi All,

Quick Question….

I watched a Piper Seneca “Training Video” on YouTube the other day and something was mentioned that I had not heard flying Piper airplanes before.

The Instructor mentioned “tapping the Brakes” prior to putting the Landing Gear UP after Departure.

I had not heard that before so I looked in my Seneca III POH and the Book makes no mention of it anywhere…

Now I know it’s a Procedure on Cessna’s, I ~almost~ bought a Skymaster. 😳and on the Boeing’s fluid is ported to apply the MLG Brakes on Gear Retraction, but I’ve never heard or seen it done on a Piper.

Ive read a little about the Pro’s and Con’s of both Procedures/Techniques, any thoughts on the Subject??

Thanks in advance!

Stay Safe, Fly Fun!

George

N8434M KLPR

Comments

  • jacobsjajacobsja
    edited July 31

    Am seeing this in many social media videos where the common call-outs are:

    - "Airspeed alive."

    - "Tap the brakes, gear-up."


    Have not seen the brake tap as part of the plane's POH either.


    Ran this practice through the local A&P when I first got the plane and the response was non-committal as the system has snubbers to stop the wheels.

    In practice, if I remember, I remember. If not, no worries.

    Have yet to get any commentary in this area from the A&P during Annuals. So anecdotally, brake tap, or not, is making no difference.

  • djspathisdjspathis

    Next time the plane is up on jacks, spin the wheel with your hand and notice that it stops within a few seconds. It usually takes > 5 seconds for the gear to fully retract where a spinning wheel may become an issue.

    DJ

  • greygoosegreygoose

    I have also seen this, so started doing it. Not in POH, but as far as I can tell, can't hurt.


    Ben

  • empanninempannin

    I always remembered it as a way to fling off ice contamination, etc. Obviously this would not work if you delayed brake application and nothing will help with the nose wheel.

    You may also elect to cycle the gear if contamination is expected. A number of planes have hydraulic uplocks (Cessna 421, etc). If they freeze up due to ice you might not be able to get the gear down. It was at least suspected in one gear up I reviewed for a 421C that was also short on time due to poor fuel planning. (Piper does not have uplocks)

    I think it has no big upside but no downside either. It does confirm you are in the air.... ;)

    Eric Panning
    1981 Seneca III
    Hillsboro, OR (KHIO)

  • HGeorgeC*HGeorgeC*

    Thank All for the Comments! 👍

    George

    N8434M KLPR

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