How come...(fuel in wing tank)

[mhorowit]

How come, with full right wing tank, the a/c doesn't tend to roll to the right? - Mike

[taylorcraftbc65]

Fuel in wing tank

I haven't put any fuel in mine for fear of having to fight the plane wanting to roll . Sabrina

[AlvinMcIver]

My BC12-D has tanks in both wings. Last year when I had to have the left wing rebuilt because of a cracked rear spar, I had the chance to see how very narrow and close to the fuselage the wing tanks sit. Not being a physics major, but remembering the concept of leverage, my guess is that there isn't much leverage loss as the wing tank empties. In any event, I can drain one tank and not have any significant change in trim. I keep both tanks full until needed and, due to the fact that I am a member of the twbc, almost always land with at least one of the wing tanks full.

[crispy critter]

Mike,
Ask yourself this,how come the airplane doesn't roll left when you fly solo....with or without a full right wing tank.The tank is not far enough out on the wing to really feel a noticable affect,however if you have both wing tanks and drain the right one first while flying solo you will sometimes notice a slight heavy left wing.

[lktiller]

Kevin has it.
Tank is close enough to the roll axis of the craft to not have a big effect on it.
A lonely 200 lb pilot has more effect than filling either wing tank. Still not enough to be concerned about.

[taylorcraftbc65]

Full wing tank

I just didn't want to exacertbate the problem of having my friend Jim who weighs 230 lbs sitting in the right seat. We can't switch places because he wnnts me in the left seat for familirization purposes. We havn't flown any long X-country legs yet, but are getting ready to next month, and I just wondered. Sabrina

[mhorowit]

230#Pax
some baggage
full tanks.
Watch your density altitude.
- Mike

[taylorcraftbc65]

density altitude

Oh I do Mike, TRUST me. The only baggage that we will have is a gallon of water for each of us, one sport bottle of Gatorade each for in flight hydration, a six pound tool kit, two space blankets, two G.I. ponchos, four cans of pork and beans, a small single burner sterno kit, a first aid kit, signal mirror, our cell phones, and an AR-7 take-down .22 cal. rifle with 50 rounds of ammo. Very light weight, and it will all fit in the canvas pouch behind the seat. How's that for a survival kit? Sabrina

[taylorcraft078]

I usually carry a 1911 in .45 acp. A bit smaller and I can whack a woodchuck with it for dinner. The .22 takedown is probably legal in more places. Magnesium fire starter and my pocket knife will get dinner cooking.

The end of the honeydoo list is in nearing. Down to only one broken car and the parts for that won't be here before next weekend. Maybe I can work on the plane tomorrow.

Dave
N36078 '41 BC-12-65