Autofuel STC

[Richard Boyer]

Ok, I paid my pound of silver and now have all the STC paperwork in hand. In talking to my IA we have a slight difference of opinion. I do not want to put those ugly EAA stickers on my T. ESPECIALLY on the nose tank. The wings aren't such a big deal. I was wondering if it is the physical sticker(placard) that was sent by the EAA is important or just the wording on the sticker. I was thinking of having custom plackards made to make it stand out less on the nose tank. Do they HAVE to have "EAA" on them?

Richard Boyer
N95791
Georgetown, TX
07TS

[lktiller]

Re: Autofuel STC

A label near each filler cap is required. Wording must be something that gives the fuel attendent proof that it is ok to use autofuel. Doesn't have to say EAA.
Check the STC.

Remember the Dymo Labelers? I've seen those stuck next to the filler cap.

[Howard Wilson]

Re: Autofuel STC

When I got mine approved last April the IA and I went around about the same thing. Got him to let me put it on top of the glareshield directly behind the windscreen near the fuel cap. Too bad it's a silver background with black lettering 'cause when the sun is just right it does reflect a little on the lower windscreen. Silver letters on black would work great. p.s the sticker ahead of the wing tank is already starting to lift a corner. Who needs VG's?

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Autofuel STC

OK, Maybe I'm forgetting something or am confused but I thought I was told that "antique" aircraft only had to keep a copy of the STC in the aircraft. No markings were required (and I haven't had them on my plane-ever- and I have never had a problem from my IA or anyone else). The airport where my hangar is now has auto fuel and they never said a word either. If I missed something someone yell, but I hate to screw up my new paint job with a lot of extra markings that weren't there fromthe factory.
Who has the OFFICIAL word?
Hank

[lktiller]

Re: Autofuel STC

The wording in the STC in not in these links, but they do contain a directive to replace the existing labels.

http://www.eaa.org/education/fuel/index.html

http://www.eaa.org/education/fuel/bulletin_2000-1.html

I'll have to pull my STC for the exact words but I remember that installing the labels was required for compliance with the STC.

[Robert Lees]

Re: Autofuel STC

I'll go with you, Hank, modern rubbishy labels on our "antique" aeroplanes is not de rigeur, despite ( and indeed with the help of) the modern technical advances that might be available.

I have Stellite valves in my engine...do I need a placard to say "the reliability and technical advancement of this aircraft has been enhanced by Stellite valves" ?

I think not.

Rob "let's keep 'em clean" Lees
In the UK so I don't use FAA placards, admittedly.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Autofuel STC

It seems like what I saw was someplace like the markings requirements in the FARs. It was something about modern marking requirements being waived on antiques with original paint layouts. It was the same place that said if I put big ole 24" high numbers on my wings I don't need to screw up the fuselage with markings there too. My plane is being painted just like the day it rolled off the line in Ohio so I'm in no hurry to slap an ugly marking next to the fuel cap. Think they would be unhappy with Ivory markings on an Ivory paint job?
One of us is going to have to find where I saw that written down. Pending that I'm leaving the markings off and hoping I find the reference before I am ready to fly.

Hank
(already have a Xerox of the FAR saying I don't need an ELT I keep in my flight bag. I HAVE an ELT but dambed if I want to pay THAT much for the battery every 2 years when all it has in it is a stack of "C" cells packed in E-Poxy!)

[lktiller]

Re: Autofuel STC

Aw, Rob. The line-person doesn't care what the valves are made of. He just needs assurance that he won't be shot for putting auto-fuel in a plane not placarded for it. And the Insurance company doesn't care who poured the fuel in, just that all of the STC was followed.

I don't like the labels either but my insurance company sure does!!!!! And they don't care that the plane is older than their entire company staff.

My IA pointed the sections out way back in '94. It may be buried under some section that requires the wording of the STC to be followed. Or may be quoted chapter & verse in the STC.

Hank, 'nother issue with your new paint job - The ID tag required to be outside the plane has no antique exception.

Also, I think we can place the ELT battery under the 'owner manufactured/engineered/supplied' parts. As long as there is a log entry in the airframe log. To back that up should be an entry showing testing of the ELT every month.
I have the same ELT. 'course they will be declared obsolete in a short few years anyway.
Also, the investigators want to see the ELT mounted to something sturdy, somewhere. Clip-in ok. Flight bag or laying in the baggage compartment not ok. (personal experience)
Sounds like a subject for another thread.

[Howard Wilson]

Re: Autofuel STC

Well ok, dug out the STC. From Petersen Aviation, Inc. The STC requires fuel placards "to be installed near the fuel filler openings". And installing an engine ID plate (stamped id# Adel clamp, DG or WDG type) on the #1 cylinder forward pushrod tube. This was for a 0-145 lycoming eng. on a '39 airframe. The IA talked with the local FSDO and he required a 337 on the engine and another for the airframe. Don't think you continental types would have to do as much. as the lycoming STC came out after... Petersen offered to refund my $ up front if the Feds had problems with it. Everything went smoothly.. I'm really only doing this for insurance reasons. Can't tell the difference in performance between 100ll and hi-test auto 91 oct.? except for the smell! Just use my Mr. Filter and check for alcohol....... No in the gas..........heh heh

[Richard Boyer]

Re: Autofuel STC

According to my STC from the EAA:
"B. Placard Required
Located aat each fuel filler inlet, adjacent to aviation gasoline/fuel tank capacity placard:
THIS AIRCRAFT IS APPROVED TO USE THE FOLLOWING UNLEADED GASOLINES:
Automotive Gasoline 87 MIN. AKI
Per ASTM Spec. D-4814
Or 82 UL Aviation Gasoline
Per ASTM Spec. D-6227 (Color Purple)
DO NOT USE AUTOMOTIVE GASOLINE CONTAINING ALCOHOL"

sheesh.

First, I don't ever allow anyone to put gas in my plane anymore (except me and a few select "qualified" people). They over fill it EVERY TIME.

Second, according to the STC the placards are required, along with placards specifying capacity (OOPS, I don't have those!). But, I want "pretty placards".

I left a message with EAA but probably will not hear back from them until tommorrow.

Richard Boyer
N95791
Georgetown, TX

[Robert Lees]

Re: Autofuel STC

I have to confess that I have over-filled most of the Taylorcrafts I have flown in the US...largely because the pumps are rated to fill large-tanked aeroplanes, and few of them have a cut-off that can cope with the flow into a little 5-gallon tank (the Scandanavian and Iberian systems appear to be the same).

[Note to self: keep ones eye on the flow meter!]

[Richard Boyer]

Re: Autofuel STC

Well. I guess that is one less name on the list!!!!!!!

[Robert Lees]

Re: Autofuel STC

Mm.

[Len Petterson]

Re: Autofuel STC

Only in Canada eeH.
I have a placard on the panel saying: This aircraft is approved for automotive fuel with a minmum of 87 octan, or something like what,All the approvals, STC's are in the log books.
I belive she was approved back when the autogas STC first came out.
Len
Taylorcraft the only way to fly.

[Garry Crookham]

Re: Autofuel STC

Wow....this is a tough crowd!!!! I would encourage everyone to make sure their placards are installed (along with the other required markings and placards required by type certificate and STC data). The owner or operator is responsible for maintaining their aircraft in an airworthy condition..... and like it or not, an aircraft, in the eyes of the FAA, is not airworthy without the required markings. As an active IA I spend a lot of time convincing owners that they do need to comply with the markings and placard requirements to continue the airworthiness of their aircraft. A friend of mine recently had his IA suspended for signing off an annual and the airplane had no compass correction card.
I appreciate the fact that my Taylorcraft has very few required markings and placards vs the Cessna 421 that I signed off last week!


Garry Crookham
N5112M
Tulsa