30-204A - Cleveland Wheels and Brakes Beech 1900 Brake Assembly

30-204A – Cleveland Wheels & Brakes Beech 1900 Brake Assembly

Available now through the AirParts Aero marketplace.

Overview Section

The Cleveland 30-204A is a high-capacity, multi-piston Hydraulic Brake Assembly engineered specifically for the Beechcraft 1900 regional turboprop series.1 As a critical landing gear component, the 30-204A is designed to handle the extreme kinetic energy loads generated during high-frequency regional operations, providing the reliable stopping power required for short-field performance and quick turnaround times.

The assembly features a heavy-duty External Caliper design that houses multiple hydraulic pistons to ensure even pressure distribution across the brake linings. This "balanced-pressure" approach minimizes heat-induced warping and ensures consistent deceleration regardless of aircraft weight or taxi speed.

Key Features Section

• Multi-Piston Architecture: Features multiple hydraulic cylinders that work in tandem to provide massive clamping force, specifically calibrated for the Beech 1900’s maximum takeoff weight (MTOW).

• High-Heat Dissipation Alloy: The caliper housing is machined from a high-strength aluminum alloy treated with a specialized finish to resist the thermal fatigue common in high-cycle commuter operations.

• Precision Lining Interface: Designed for use with Cleveland high-energy organic or semi-metallic linings (depending on the disc type), offering a high coefficient of friction with minimal fade.

• External Bleed Ports: Strategically positioned to allow for rapid hydraulic system bleeding, facilitating easier maintenance and air bubble removal during routine service.

• Self-Adjusting Mechanism: Includes internal return pins and springs that maintain a constant clearance between the lining and the disc as the friction material wears.

• FAA-TSO Certified: Manufactured under strict FAA Technical Standard Order requirements for Part 23 and Part 25 commuter aircraft.

Technical Specifications Section

Aircraft Compatibility Section

The 30-204A is the primary braking solution for the Beech 1900 fleet found in the AirParts Aero inventory:

• Beechcraft 1900C: Found on early regional variants and cargo conversions.2

  
  

  
  

• Beechcraft 1900D: Standard equipment for the stand-up cabin commuter model.

• Special Mission 1900s: Often found on military or surveillance variants (C-12J) requiring enhanced braking performance.

Technical Applications & Safety

The Beech 1900 is often operated "high and fast" into regional airports with limited runway lengths.3 The 30-204A must convert massive amounts of kinetic energy into heat. If the brake linings are worn beyond limits or the pistons are "dragging," the heat generated can lead to a Brake Fire or the melting of the wheel's thermal relief plugs.

Safety Warning: Never attempt to change brake linings or service the pistons while the brakes are hot. Always check for hydraulic leaks at the piston O-rings during every pre-flight, as fluid on the brake linings will significantly reduce friction and can cause the aircraft to pull violently toward the "dry" brake side during an aborted takeoff.

Technical Engineering Insight

The engineering value of the Cleveland 30-204A lies in its Piston Area Ratio and Thermal Management. By utilizing multiple pistons, Cleveland increases the total surface area acting on the backplate. This allows for a lower operating hydraulic pressure to achieve the same clamping force, reducing the stress on the aircraft’s master cylinders and hydraulic lines.

Furthermore, the 30-204A is designed to prevent "Brake Drag." Dragging brakes cause excessive fuel burn and can lead to tire failure. The precision-honed cylinder bores and specialized O-ring material (compatible with MIL-PRF-83282) ensure that the pistons retract instantly when the pilot releases the pedals. Choosing the genuine 30-204A through AirParts Aero ensures that the caliper's bridge strength meets the original manufacturer's fatigue requirements, protecting your landing gear from structural deformation during "heavy" braking events.

Installation & Maintenance Addendum

1. Lining Conditioning: New linings must be "seated" or "burnished" per the Beech 1900 Flight Manual to ensure they provide full rated friction.

2. O-Ring Replacement: When overhauling the 30-204A, always use genuine Cleveland O-ring kits. Non-aviation seals will degrade rapidly under the heat of a 1900D landing.

3. Torque Specs: Use only the specified AN-series bolts for mounting the caliper to the torque plate, torqued to the specific inch-pound values found in the Cleveland Maintenance Manual.v

Product Overview

The brake assembly and disc combination (part of the main wheel assembly) are designed and qualification tested to properly and safely decelerate the aircraft under various conditions.
Unauthorized substitution of components can compromise brake effectiveness, which is a violation of the qualification basis and is prohibited.

The brake assembly is an external floating caliper-type design and can be made of either cast magnesium or aluminum. The brake assembly consists of one or more pistons depending upon the aircraft's requirements. A brake assembly can also consist of multiple calipers, one forward and one aft of the landing gear, and contain multiple pistons in each caliper.

To actuate the brake assembly, hydraulic pressure is applied via the pilot's and co-pilot's master cylinder, which enters the brake via lines connected to an inlet fitting on the caliper. The pressure then flows through the cylinder and forces the pistons outward the pressure plate. The caliper should be free to slide on the torque plate assembly bushings, allowing both pressures and back plate linings to contact the brake, which will contact the brake disc at precisely the same time.

The braking action generates a torque that transmits a braking force converting the kinetic energy into heat, which is absorbed by the brake disc and surrounding components. This braking force is transmitted to the wheel and into the tire, bringing the aircraft to a stop. Releasing the toe pedal relieves the hydraulic pressure from the brake caliper, thereby removing pressure from the disc.

The wheel should be free to rotate with minimal drag. Some caliper designs incorporate a mechanism in the piston that will retract the piston and attach pressure plate lining away from the disc. These units are self-adjusting and retract to obtain approximately 0.02 to 0.04 inches of lining clearance to the disc.

Applications

General and business aviation, turboprop passenger, and helicopter.

Features and Attributes

1. • Ease of maintenance; no need to jack up aircraft for lining change
2. • Easy installation and removal from aircraft for overhaul
3. • Lower cost of operations
4. • Generic component maintenance manual for external floating caliper design available online
5. • Worldwide distributor network for quick parts availability

Optional Features

Designed to meet aircraft specifications with mating TSO qualified wheel assembly.

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