The International Cessna^® 170 Association

Does any one have any information on any approval (s),
such as , a service bulletin, a STC , or even a 337 where they approval to remove the parking brake system ?

New TC inspector in town ?

No,....... trying to do an import. Do you have any suggestions ??

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I've never heard of any approval to remove the parking brake but there may be an example 337 in the MX library somewhere.

So it is looking like no one ( so far ) has any "official" , authority to remove to the parking brake system on our aircraft ??

I called Cessna , and they said they have no service bulletins which they could see on file.
I searched the FAA website for STC's and saw nothing.

...but there seem to be a whole lot of 170's without them.
I'm sure within 24 hours, someone will chime in with the approval process.
My guess is it's just a log book entry because it's not a major alteration to the airframe and not essential for flight.

But then again, we need an STC to put a pneumatic door stopper on these planes.

Yeah, this thread may get lengthy. It might be easier to find a set of springs and tabs and put the brake back on for the import.

Yes , I am pondering finding a complete setup,.......but,
I am hopeful that, perhaps someone has come up against this, or has just done the paper work because we all strive to do things correctly.
( and if not then perhaps it is time to put together an STC for removing it ? )

No,....... trying to do an import. Do you have any suggestions ??

No I don't, other to say if your import delegate has an issue with it, it's a fairly lame issue.

I have spent several hours discussing this with various FAA Mx Inspectors and received varying answers, from "Need an STC", to "Need a Field Approval", to "Contact Cessna for support", to "submit a request for AD review" (this in response to my description as to why its removal is advised), to "obtain an individual MEL approval", to "log it as a minor alteration".

I chose the latter. In the TCDS, under "required equipment" the required equipment which must be present "in addition to that required by CAR3"...is listed...and does not mention a parking brake.

The requirement regarding brakes contained in CAR 3, is found in Para. 3.363 "§ 3.363 Brakes. Brakes shall be installed which are adequate to prevent the airplane from rolling on a paved runway while applying take-off power to the critical engine, and of sufficient capacity to provide adequate speed control during taxiing without the use of excessive pedal or hand forces."

Again, no mention of any requirement for a parking brake.

Not required equipment. Disable/remove the hardware. Effect on weight and balance is negligible. Make maintenance logbook entry. (put an inop label on the knob) This is a minor alteration and if it was properly returned to service, that is all the "basis for approval" you should need. If your official won't "buy that", you might try and ask him/her on what basis they are making their objection. Maybe they have a different view of what is a minor alteration. It is possible that they view this as removal of a system that was "standard installation" at time of manufacture. If that is the case, you may have to install the parking brake system to get it into Canada. Its pretty simple if you have the parts. I am surprised he caught it. Was this plane exported from the US? Did it have the FAA export documentation? Sounds like this guy is having a bad day. Good luck.

jatkins wrote:Does any one have any information on any approval (s),
such as , a service bulletin, a STC , or even a 337 where they approval to remove the parking brake system ?

I don't believe one exists nor is it required anyway. I replaced both master cylinders with smooth shaft style which makes the park brake unusable anyway. I removed the park brake system on my 140 and my 170. I do remember adding a note in the log book and placarding the park brake handle US. Is this an airplane your importing to Canada? I bet there are a ton of 120/140/170's with the park brake system unusable.

If anyone is interested in having a safe parking brake, this is a very nicely done field approval

http://www.cessna170.org/forums/members ... Photos.pdf

well I don't know anything about the legality but I took mine out today as it was causing the left brake to intermittently stay on. With lots of left rudder the spring that joined the two metal tabs on the master cylinder shaft was hitting the firewall carpeting and lifting the tab. Not a good situation today in a 10 knot gusting 17 90 degree crosswind. I don't think I am going to miss it.

daedaluscan wrote:well I don't know anything about the legality but I took mine out today as it was causing the left brake to intermittently stay on. With lots of left rudder the spring that joined the two metal tabs on the master cylinder shaft was hitting the firewall carpeting and lifting the tab. Not a good situation today in a 10 knot gusting 17 90 degree crosswind. I don't think I am going to miss it.

Correct, You just described the exact reason to remove the parking brake.