Wing tank plumbing

[Guest]

Re: Wing tank plumbing

Different year planes had the valve in different places. Pre-war they were under the panel, but before you move yours make sure it is OK with your IA. A BIG down side of under panel valves is the lever is down when transferring fuel and it hits your leg. The down sides of a wing root valve is if you forget it is down after a flight you will gash your head on the lever (in the original configuration). Many guys have flipped the valve so it is forward when transferring and UP when closed or at an angle so it is 45* fwd while transferring and 45* aft when closed. Not the factory set-up, but makes a LOT more sense.

There were also TWO placards required. One said not to transfer fuel until the main was half empty and the other to transfer in level flight only (the second wasn't in the early planes, I don't have anything saying it had to be retrofitted). There is also supposed to be a placard by the valve showing what position was closed and open.

Most IA/A&Ps have NO IDEA what is required. We need to educate them with documentation. Anyone have paperwork showing when the placards were put in? I have photos of most of them and will dig them out.

Hank

Hi Hank,

Thanks.

Yes very bad for us bald people!


Can you point us to the source of that second placard requirement? i.e. where did you find it?

I can't recall where I saw it unless the placards just came from the factory that way. Would expect to see it documented somewhere.

Dave

[3Dreaming]

Re: Wing tank plumbing

I don't know if the placard was required or not, but it is a good reminder for the pilot. If you start to drain the wing tank before the nose tank in below half and forget about what is going on, you will get a big surprise when fuel starts coming out of the fuel cap and on to the windshield.

[Guest]

Re: Wing tank plumbing

I don't know if the placard was required or not, but it is a good reminder for the pilot. If you start to drain the wing tank before the nose tank in below half and forget about what is going on, you will get a big surprise when fuel starts coming out of the fuel cap and on to the windshield.

Hi Tom,

Yes amen to that.

I am trying to validate my memory. That is why I am so interested in where the source is.

Dave

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Wing tank plumbing

Trying to find some photos of the placards. The fuel transfer is one in the wing root. Early ones were pressed in thin brass and later ones were silk screened on thin aluminum. The final versions were printed on "stickers". This one appears to be one printed on the aluminum, although some of the stickers looked like aluminum too.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Wing tank plumbing

This is an original (top) placard with a late model aftermarket one from (I think) Aircraft Spruce from many years ago.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Wing tank plumbing

This is the "removing control" placard. It was REQUIRED for all aircraft with a factory notice after the war. A copy of the factory letter is in one of the old newsletters somewhere and most mechanics don't know about it.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Wing tank plumbing

Can't seem to find the level flight transfer placard and am wondering if it wasn't in a different type plane.

Hank

Can't think of a reason to not transfer fuel in a turn in a "T". Caused problems in a Cessna 337!

[Bigdog]

Re: Wing tank plumbing

Barring an STC, the required placards are in the TCDS. The only thing I found in the TCDS A-696 (BC's) is:
NOTE 1. Weight and balance report including list of equipment included in certificated empty weight and loading
instructions when necessary must be provided for each aircraft at the time of original certification.
NOTE 2. Left hand wing tank eligible as 6 gal. auxiliary on all models except BCS-65 and BC12D-85.
NOTE 3. Required placard adjacent to shutoff valve of right and left wing tanks: “Refill main tank in level flight
only”.

[Guest]

Re: Wing tank plumbing

Thanks Greg!

Dave

[M Towsley]

Re: Wing tank plumbing

Here is the one similar to what is in my plane, but mine has 'ON' on one end and 'OFF' on the other outlined in black. I have them mounted over the under instrument panel valves. These were made by one of our members who is no longer with us.

[M Towsley]

Re: Wing tank plumbing

Here is one of his early attempts using raised metal and highlighting in red.

Hank will recognize the maker.

[LostnSpace]

Re: Wing tank plumbing

Drude, have you ever looked at the Gilberti Instructions?, it states to put on the instrument panel:
1. Fuel quantity gage indicates contents of 12 gallon fuelage tank only.
2. Fuel to engine feeds from main tank only. Wing tank fuel must not be transfered to main tank unless main tank is less than 1/2 full.
3. fuel cap stuff

[Guest]

Re: Wing tank plumbing

Drude, have you ever looked at the Gilberti Instructions?, it states to put on the instrument panel:
1. Fuel quantity gage indicates contents of 12 gallon fuelage tank only.
2. Fuel to engine feeds from main tank only. Wing tank fuel must not be transfered to main tank unless main tank is less than 1/2 full.
3. fuel cap stuff

Thanks Gary,

That makes sense for my situation.

I do not have a C85 but the fuselage was modified per the Gilberti/Harer/Bowden STC and perhaps the two wing tanks added then.

But even if the tanks were factory installation the STC has been applied so that documentation has crept in.

Thanks again Gary.

Dave

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Wing tank plumbing

Sure wish we had been able to figure out how Josh did it. We know he used a LASER engraver to make the master but haven't ever figured out how he made the finished product. The few that are around are beautiful, but he was never satisfied with the quality, even when I showed him factory originals that weren't up to his quality.

Hank

Here is one of his early attempts using raised metal and highlighting in red.

Hank will recognize the maker.

[M Towsley]

Re: Wing tank plumbing

I have several different items he did like that, all very nice. Really miss Josh and his talents.