Fuel Gauge

[Robert Lees]

I was gonna ask... how do you hand prop it in flight!

Scott, I didn't need to (every time has been with a metal prop...the rotational inertia keeps the engine rotating for far longer than needed to get fuel to the carb again...particularly at cruise speed. I haven't tried it with a wood prop though!)
I appreciate the humour! <wink> [where are the smilies?]





As regards air-starting from a stationary prop, it's great fun! (Again I've only ever done it with a metal prop). The first fun is getting it to stop!

It takes me about 700 feet to get the engine rotating again, with a severe bunt to start with (fuel on the windscreen) but I don't turn the mags on until a lot later*. My safety "floor" is 1000 AGL. If not started by then I'm landing dead stick, and what happens is I land longer than I need to...therefore much side-slipping is required, even in the flare, to lose the last bit of height/speed, but I guess that's a fault on the right side!

Rob

*Further reasoning/details available if requested.

I leveled the plane (on the ground) with an empty tank then added 3 gallons at a time while marking the wire. Then added different colors between the marks so you could tell how much fuel you had when in flight.

[Garry Crookham]

I haven't tried it with a metal prop, just wood prop. I did do it with both Lycoming 65 and continental A-65, and the results were similar.

My experience is the same as Tom....takes 125-130 mph to get a W72CK42 wood prop turning. I had a McCauley 1B90 metal prop on my airplane for several years and to get it to stop turning I had to slow down to almost a stall and it would start rotating at 80 mph.

[3Dreaming]

Tom, I agree and starting wing tank flow as soon as you can for exactly as you stated. Your above quote, wood or metal prop, (does it matter)? I know about the metal versus wood rotational and why but curious if that transfers to air-start.

I haven't tried it with a metal prop, just wood prop. I did do it with both Lycoming 65 and continental A-65, and the results were similar.

[M Towsley]

With enough altitude it will air start. My experience is that it takes 1000 feet and 125 miles per hour.

Tom, I agree and starting wing tank flow as soon as you can for exactly as you stated. Your above quote, wood or metal prop, (does it matter)? I know about the metal versus wood rotational and why but curious if that transfers to air-start.

[3Dreaming]

I was gonna ask... how do you hand prop it in flight!

With enough altitude it will air start. My experience is that it takes 1000 feet and 125 miles per hour.

[Scott]

I agree Tom, but from previous experience I was happy with the fuel transfer.

This procedure only needs doing once to confirm the time from the wire gauge stopping bobbing to removal of the seat cushion from between one's buttocks ! I don't do it as normal procedure; perhaps I should have been clearer on that!

I was gonna ask... how do you hand prop it in flight!

[3Dreaming]

That little air pocket between the wing tank and the header can really restrict flow until gas flow gets started...happens when you drain the wing tank, refill it, creating an air gap in the line which is hard to push through the header tank. Tim

In the case I was speaking of there was a restriction of the vent. The vent had previously worked as it was designed.

[Robert Lees]

Not when the header tank is empty <G> or at least the fitting on the aft end of the tank (where the wing tank drains in to) is above the header tank fuel level.

Also remember (for new viewers to this site) that the wing tanks are pressurised by forward airspeed, so make sure your wing tank cap seals are good.

Rob

[astjp2]

That little air pocket between the wing tank and the header can really restrict flow until gas flow gets started...happens when you drain the wing tank, refill it, creating an air gap in the line which is hard to push through the header tank. Tim

[Robert Lees]

I agree Tom, but from previous experience I was happy with the fuel transfer.

This procedure only needs doing once to confirm the time from the wire gauge stopping bobbing to removal of the seat cushion from between one's buttocks ! I don't do it as normal procedure; perhaps I should have been clearer on that!

[3Dreaming]

I purposely let the engine quit from fuel starvation, I get 40 minutes after it stops bobbing. Then drop the wing tank.

Rob

That's great, but on a early flight with my dad's airplane the wing tank didn't drain as it should. I learned an important lesson that day. As soon as you think the nose tank can hold the fuel drain the wing tank. that way if it doesn't drain like it should you have options before you run out. We had waited to long before starting the transfer, and the fuel wire never started back up. It is not fun having the wire sitting on the bottom with no good landing spots about.

[Robert Lees]

I purposely let the engine quit from fuel starvation, I get 40 minutes after it stops bobbing. Then drop the wing tank.

Rob

[astjp2]

I have flown 45 minutes after the little bobber stopped bobbin....ass puckered and all!

[Scott]

One of those tales of no consistency. When I was young and foolish I believed a fellow Taylorcraft owner when he told me there was 45 minutes of fuel left when the wire bottoms out.

The one and thankfully only forced/dead stick landing I've ever done was the result. 100% my fault and a needlessly risky way to learn a life lesson. Fortunately a nice Quebec farmer saw me land and was there in a jiffy. Gave me a ride to the local gas station and back, and then blocked the far end of the road while I took off again! I guess we both have a story to tell our grandchildren.

S