Fuel transfer

[FunkyMonkey]

Why can fuel transfers only be made in level flight? how long does it typically take? ive flown for about an hour without noticing much difference so im not sure they're working properly.

[alwaysoar]

Re: Fuel transfer

The tanks need to be pressurized by fuel caps that have a bent tube inserted in them that faces into the airstream. Impact air is needed to pressure (force) the fuel out of the tank. The caps have to fit tightly so there are no air leaks. The fuselage tank cannot be more than about half full or the weight of the fuel in the fuselage tank will outweigh the fuel in the wing tank and it won't flow. It takes a few minutes, maybe about 15 or so to empty a wing tank if the nose tank is not too full. There are other threads about this and pics of the gas caps. Do a search for wing tanks, and wing tank caps, or something, and it will all come up.

[lawheelock]

Re: Fuel transfer

funky,
Back in the '60s when I was flying my BC12D on long cross countrys, I always worried about the wing tank not feeding, but it always did only after the nose tank was below half full. I also found that by rocking the wings a few times to get some sloshing going it seemed to help getting the flow started. My fuel caps on the wings had a small tube facing forward, but I doubt that much pressure deveoped from such a small tube, but anything would help. It took quite a while for the 6 gal wing tank to empty and again, it takes some wing rocking to shake loose the float in the nose. I put a few paint marks on the wire to help see if it was really moving.
Always was a time of anxiety, but the flow never failed in the end.
Happy flying.
Larry Wheelock, 96927 back in the '60s and 96179 basket case now.

Why can fuel transfers only be made in level flight? how long does it typically take? ive flown for about an hour without noticing much difference so im not sure they're working properly.

[FunkyMonkey]

Re: Fuel transfer

thanks for the help ill try the wing rocking and see what i can find in the archives

[alwaysoar]

Re: Fuel transfer

If you can't find gas caps, let me know. They're easy to make. I think the tubing I used may be larger that the original, but I don't have to slosh the fuel. I suppose you could get an airlock that might take a few minutes to work through the tubing, but that hasn't happened to me and my tanks hadn't been used for years when I hooked them up.

[dedrekon]

Re: Fuel transfer

I've never had a hard time getting my wing tanks to feed to the main. I HAVE opened a wing tank valve before the main tank was down to half and had fuel overflow all over the windshield in flight. Don't do that.
Some old time TCraft pilots have even been known to stall the airplane just to get the fuel flowing.

[FunkyMonkey]

Re: Fuel transfer

hmm, stalling to get the fuel flowing. bet thats not in the POH. by the way is there a POH? i dont have one

[Robert Lees]

Re: Fuel transfer

is there a POH

No, at least apart from the "Owners Manual", which tells you how to start and stop the engine.

These aircraft were certified to the old CAR's, which were before POH's were required.

Rob

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Fuel transfer

Thank you Robert, I am glad someone is around to instruct the "grasshoppers" in Car 3a & 4 ships.... POH , we don't need no stinking POH . Just read stuff in the cockpit and go fly!!
The wing tank drain situation: I have never had one not flow, wait till you are below 1/2 and away she goes. WE have in the past explained that if going on a long flight and you have not used the wing tanks for a while, leave nose tank till last , fill wing tanks , then turn on one at a time and listen for the "gurgle" of fuel flowing, shut off the wing tank valve, do same on other side. then fill nose tank. That way the lines are charged and ready for tranfer. Its not Rocket Science!

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Fuel transfer

I see in a National magazine that they are discussing the Liason ships and mention Grasshoppers. That was a naming competition among the Liason producers. Taylorcraft submitted the name & emblem for the "Hedgehopper" my father ahd a lot of fun a Fort Sill for the evealuation tests were they tried to shoot him down with a fighter aircraft and he avoided it by " hedgehopping" down low and turning 90 degrees real quick to avoid the guns....

My reference to "grasshopper" was from the series Kung Fu where David Carrindine (sp) was being instructed by his Sensei in the martial arts...ie a new person to the tribe ( grasshopper) . This is my English translation for Robert......