Page 13 - Volume 11 Number 10

Burn Them In
Lastly, don’t forget that a new set of brakes, whether OEM or Cleveland, must be properly burned in before putting the aircraft back in service. Burning in new brakes ensures they have the proper stopping capacity, reduces the possibility of noise or chatter, and makes them wear better. This is a must-do. If your brakes were changed, or if you got new linings installed on your Cleveland brakes, make sure the shop did this.
I once had a customer with a C90 and a 200 on a 135 certificate. He arrived to pick up the 90 after service and I hadn’t yet burned in his new brakes. He offered to have his A&P do it, so I assumed he knew what I meant. Well ... we all know what they say about the word “assume” – it makes a “you know what” out of “U” and “ME.” It turns out that his version of burning in new brakes was to burn them off! He taxied back in with smoke billowing behind him. His brand-new linings were burned completely away and he got down into the discs. The O-rings on the pucks were melted. I had to order and install new linings and new discs, plus rebuild all the calipers. Good thing they were Clevelands!
When you get new brakes, your best bet is to have your mechanic burn them in. Second best is to take him or her with you on the ground run if you have to do it.
In closing I’ll say this: Be nice to your brakes and let’s hope they don’t break the bank. KA
Dean Benedict is a certified A&P, AI with over 40 years’ experience in King Air maintenance. He’s the founder and former owner
of Honest Air Inc., a King Air maintenance boutique (with some Dukes and Barons on the side).
In his new venture, BeechMedic LLC, Dean consults with King Air owners and operators on all things King Air related: maintenance, troubleshooting, pre-buys, etc.
He can be reached at dr.dean@ beechmedic.com or (702) 773-1800.
OCTOBER 2017
KING AIR MAGAZINE • 11