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Auto fuel in the Lightning.

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nick(at)flylightning.net
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Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2013 5:36 am Post subject: Auto fuel in the Lightning.

Once again the question of autofuel has come up. Arion Aircraft strongly recommends only the use of Aircraft fuel or 100ll in its tanks. 

The factory produced SLSA are prohibited from using other than 100ll by the POH. We encourage EAB owners to follow suit. 

 

The question is not the jabiru engines capability to handle auto, it is the sealing material in the tanks. Arion Aircraft is not the only manufacturer to warn against this, others warn as well , and they use a completely different sealing material than we do. 

 

Although ethanol or “alcohol” presents certain problems like soaking up moisture the real concern is not that. Other solvents and octane boosters are added to auto fuels that are not added to 100ll. These additive’s can break down sealers and if they leak cause severe damage to the underlying structure. Some foam cores are not resistant to the additives and can soften or dissolve leaving a hollow looking or damaged area of skin. 

 

Both sealants used in the lightning; Kreem from 2006-2008 and KBS coatings 2008-presant, are both alcohol resistant up to in both cases 20% listed by the manufacturer of the coating. However in neither case do they say what additives the sealants are resistant to. This is the real problem. 

 

We have seen damaged tanks and wings with the use of un reliable auto fuel sources. In  most cases the owner was sure to use Alcohol free fuel, this just goes to prove the case, it may not be the alcohol causing the problem but all the other junk in it. 

 

I like to share a short story of a motorcycle I had. I am very careful to winterize my bikes every year. One spring I pulled out my Yamaha V-star to get it ready. The engine this time would just not start, having owned the bike and made this routine several years in a row, I had no other choice but to go to the dealership. After a day in the shop they called. They plastic fuel pump impellor had completely disintegrated and went down stream clogging up the carbs. I ask them why, and the response was that the fuel these days for cars is just crap and you never know what will be in it, this was becoming a common occurrence more and more.  The pump was replaced with a new metal gear part, and new fuel line were installed as the rubber lines had started to harden. 

 

Now with all this in mind. Arion Aircraft has contracted for the design of Aluminum tanks for Autofuel use in the aircraft. The first set should be installed in the next few weeks. These tanks will then be an option to new customers only as the tanks are integrated. They will be an option and not standard due to the increased cost. The standard glass tanks are perfectly suited to 100ll and will continue to be produced.

 

thanks

 

Nick Otterback

Arion Aircraft LLC

R&D Technical Support

931-680-1781

nick(at)flylightning.net (nick(at)flylightning.net)

 

   [quote][b]

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richardcoo

Joined: 24 Mar 2012
Posts: 10
Location: Wellington, New Zealand

Posted: Wed Mar 20, 2013 12:36 am Post subject: Auto fuel in the Lightning.

Thanks for this message Nick

The addition of metal fuel tanks will certainly be an advantage for us owners and pilots in foreign countries where Avgas 100/130 is becoming more and more a rare commodity, gradually becoming available at the major airports only.

Auto fuel is an option with unleaded 93 or 98 octane fuel available. Fortunately down-under the prominence of alcohol additive hasn't had the same market penetration as it has in the US, for a range of reasons, the least of which being the lower calorific output of alcohol versus mineral fuels. Not to say we haven't had our share of questionable additives such an benzene and a few others who's names I struggle with.



Always appreciate your input on these important matters and trust you're back to health.



Kind regards

Rich Cookson

Wellington, NZ

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Clive J

Joined: 03 Nov 2007
Posts: 340
Location: UK

Posted: Sun Mar 24, 2013 4:46 pm Post subject: Auto fuel in the Lightning.

Metal tanks is a good solution Nick, not an option for a Jabiru wing

tank though. 



Good point about the 'other' additives and any alcohol proof sloshing

sealer.



Have you considered a 'polythene' type  moulded solution for the tank

material? (not sure what they are actually made of).



Regards, Clive



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nick(at)flylightning.net
Guest

Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2013 5:43 am Post subject: Auto fuel in the Lightning.

Clive,



Not sure how to spell that either, but we have thought about plastic tanks

In the past. The only reason thus far not to pursue is it the tank fittings.

I know this has been done for years with ultralights but I just have not had

good experience with the fittings. We actually built 3 esquals with plastic

tanks over here in the states. 

The fittings for fuel pick up and drains were prone to leaking as was the

fuel sending unit hole.  But certainly would never have a problem with auto

fuel.

Nick Otterback

Arion Aircraft LLC

R&D Technical Support

931-680-1781

nick(at)flylightning.net



 



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n45bm(at)yahoo.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2013 6:08 am Post subject: Auto fuel in the Lightning.

Some of the Sonex line have issues with fuel tank leaks in the plastic/fittings connections too. It's spelled "polyethylene", BTW.

Bernardo 



--- On Mon, 3/25/13, Nick Otterback <nick(at)flylightning.net> wrote:



From: Nick Otterback <nick(at)flylightning.net>

Subject: RE: Auto fuel in the Lightning.

To: lightning-list(at)matronics.com

Date: Monday, March 25, 2013, 8:34 AM






Clive,



Not sure how to spell that either, but we have thought about plastic tanks

In the past. The only reason thus far not to pursue is it the tank fittings

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flyingchemist

Joined: 19 Jul 2013
Posts: 3

Posted: Mon Jul 22, 2013 6:43 pm Post subject: Re: Auto fuel in the Lightning.

This past Spring I had the students in my Chemistry Department's Instrumental Analysis class analyze some "ethanol-free" premium auto gas to see if it really was "ethanol-free."  I only had them check the gas from one gas station so I cannot comment on all the brands - although I understand that different brands go through the same pipelines.  



They found that there was some alcohol present.  It may not have been ethanol, but ethanol is only one member of the big alcohol family.  It may have been methanol (Indy car type fuel) or t-butyl alcohol (an octane booster), but there was an alcohol present.  



Of more concern was the presence of acetone (think fingernail polish remover).  This is a great solvent for a lot of organic compounds and plastics.  I would not want even a trace of acetone in my fuel. 



The strong recommendation to use only 100 LL is well founded.



Dave(at)SRC

"flyingchemist"

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