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kolber2(at)atcyber.net
Guest

Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2009 3:38 pm Post subject: Fuel Filter Failure

I have been reading the posts on fuel filters were more than just casual interest.  Just recently, immediately after take-off in my Mark IIIc, I smelled a very strong fuel odor.  I elected to make an emergency landing.  By the time I got down, the fuel odor was almost overwhelming.  I got out to find gasoline sloshing around the bottom of the fuselage cage.  However, to my surprise, the source of the leak was not immediately apparent.  I looked throughout the entire fuel system, expecting to find a disconnected hose or something.  Nothing obvious.  So I soaked up the gas, dried things out and turned on the electric fuel pump.  What I noticed was that the end cap was lifting up on the glass fuel filter when the fuel was under pressure.  The type filter I had installed looks very similar, if not identical to the one John Hauck referenced in his recent e-mail.  (Ref link below).    

       

http://www.midwayautosupply.com/p-15032-purolator-pro-fuel-fuel-line-filter-for-516-fuel-lines-805.aspx  

As soon as I turned the pump off, the top end cap on the filter reseated to where visually nothing appeared amiss - due to proximity of the hose clamps holding the filter assembly together.  (I had the filter installed vertically in the fuel line.)   What happened is the cast aluminum support that runs through the filter (threaded on one end and holding the two filter end caps together) broke in half.  I’m curious as to whether anyone else has had this type experience with the glass type filter.  I had always liked the idea of being able to visually examine the filter on each pre-flight although  I had heard of instances of the glass breaking.   John’s fix of replacing the glass cylinder with an aluminum tube addresses that problem, but would not address the type failure I had.    It could certainly be that the support rod was over-torqued.  I am not sure, as I had not disassembled the filter since acquiring the aircraft from the previous owner.    (Visually, the filter was always clean inside.)  Needless to say, I’ve been looking around at numerous filter designs.  I therefore appreciate everyone’s input on subject.  Mike, I especially appreciate your input on the one offered by Aircraft Spruce.  The Kolb List is a valuable resource of information that has really been great.  Thanks to all who contribute.  

Gary Siegrist  

Mark IIIc  



 

 

   

  

  [quote] [b]

John Hauck

Joined: 09 Jan 2006
Posts: 4639
Location: Titus, Alabama (hauck's holler)

Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2009 3:55 pm Post subject: Fuel Filter Failure

Gary S/Gang:

  

 One of the benefits of building your own airplane  is you know how it is built and what goes into it.

  

 I can assure you I have a good filter or I  would never have attempted to fly to places my little mkIII has carried  me.  Heck, I wouldn't leave the ground if I had any  doubt.

  

 I doubt I will ever buy an airplane that  someone else builds, but if I did I think I would take a close look at a lot of  things that might be marginal, especially things that are not easily  inspected.

  

 Buying a used airplane can't be much different that  buying a used car, truck, or especially an antique tractor.  You would not  believe the stuff folks hide in antique tractors from the unwary  buyer.

  

 Might be a good idea to include fuel pump on and  inspect the fuel system as part of your preflight inspection.

  

 BTW:  My fuel filter requires just a little  bit of torque to make it snug enough not to leak and not chance breaking it with  a heavy hand.

  

 john h

 mkIII and unwary antique tractor  buyer 

 [quote]      

I    have been reading the posts on fuel filters were more than just casual    interest.      

Gary    Siegrist         

Mark    IIIc   

 

[b]

_________________
John Hauck
MKIII/912ULS
hauck's holler
Titus, Alabama

slyck(at)frontiernet.net
Guest

Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2009 4:43 pm Post subject: Fuel Filter Failure

That illustrates another problem we face with chinese clones.  One may believe he has bought the same item from a different (maybe even the same) supplier.-but those ingenious folks in the East manage to somewhat duplicate nearly anything made.  Among the items I bought replacements for was the fuel

pressure regulator.  Looked the same as the one I had been using for 5 years.  I took it apart to compare and it was different (and inferior) internally.

No doubt there is more than one maker of those cylinder filters.  caveat emptor.

BB



On 17, Aug 2009, at 7:38 PM, Gary wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		  I have been reading the posts on fuel filters were more than just casual interest.  Just recently, immediately after take-off in my Mark IIIc, I smelled a very strong fuel odor.  I elected to make an emergency landing.  By the time I got down, the fuel odor was almost overwhelming.  I got out to find gasoline sloshing around the bottom of the fuselage cage.  However, to my surprise, the source of the leak was not immediately apparent.  I looked throughout the entire fuel system, expecting to find a disconnected hose or something.  Nothing obvious.  So I soaked up the gas, dried things out and turned on the electric fuel pump.  What I noticed was that the end cap was lifting up on the glass fuel filter when the fuel was under pressure.  The type filter I had installed looks very similar, if not identical to the one John Hauck referenced in his recent e-mail.  (Ref link below). 

 



http://www.midwayautosupply.com/p-15032-purolator-pro-fuel-fuel-line-filter-for-516-fuel-lines-805.aspx

As soon as I turned the pump off, the top end cap on the filter reseated to where visually nothing appeared amiss - due to proximity of the hose clamps holding the filter assembly together.  (I had the filter installed vertically in the fuel line.)   What happened is the cast aluminum support that runs through the filter (threaded on one end and holding the two filter end caps together) broke in half.  I’m curious as to whether anyone else has had this type experience with the glass type filter.  I had always liked the idea of being able to visually examine the filter on each pre-flight although  I had heard of instances of the glass breaking.   John’s fix of replacing the glass cylinder with an aluminum tube addresses that problem, but would not address the type failure I had.    It could certainly be that the support rod was over-torqued.  I am not sure, as I had not disassembled the filter since acquiring the aircraft from the previous owner.    (Visually, the filter was always clean inside.)  Needless to say, I’ve been looking around at numerous filter designs.  I therefore appreciate everyone’s input on subject.  Mike, I especially appreciate your input on the one offered by Aircraft Spruce.  The Kolb List is a valuable resource of information that has really been great.  Thanks to all who contribute.

Gary Siegrist

Mark IIIc







 	  Quote: 	
		   



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blue; text-decoration: underline; ">http://forums.matronics.com

style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline; ">http://www.matronics.com/contribution



	
	


 [quote][b]

John Hauck

Joined: 09 Jan 2006
Posts: 4639
Location: Titus, Alabama (hauck's holler)

Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2009 4:52 pm Post subject: Fuel Filter Failure

JC Whitney is notorious for cheap  imitations.

  

 I bought a handful of their look alike filters for  other applications.  They were all junk.  As Brother Ted Cowan so  eloquently described, couldn't get them to tighten down straight enough to  make the seal.  Cheaper and safer to stuff'em in the trash can than to  try and get a refund.

  

 john h

 mkIII 

 [quote]   No doubt there is more than one maker of those cylinder filters.     caveat emptor.

   BB

    

[b]

_________________
John Hauck
MKIII/912ULS
hauck's holler
Titus, Alabama

zeprep251(at)aol.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2009 4:53 pm Post subject: Fuel Filter Failure

Does anyone else use this filter under pressure or are most in the draw side ahead of the pump?

  G.Aman MK-3C Jabiru 2200A 465hrs

 

   

 

   

 

 --

slyck(at)frontiernet.net
Guest

Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2009 5:08 pm Post subject: Fuel Filter Failure

If you are using auto parts stores for a source NAPA tends to have more honorable stock.  Auto zone and Advance tend to have more junk.  (NAPA counter man humorously called them the "Dead Zone"

BB



On 17, Aug 2009, at 8:52 PM, John Hauck wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		  JC Whitney is notorious for cheap imitations.

 

I bought a handful of their look alike filters for other applications.  They were all junk.  As Brother Ted Cowan so eloquently described, couldn't get them to tighten down straight enough to make the seal.  Cheaper and safer to stuff'em in the trash can than to try and get a refund.

 

john h

mkIII 

 	  Quote: 	
		  No doubt there is more than one maker of those cylinder filters.  caveat emptor.

BB

 





href="http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kolb-List">http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kolb-List

href="http://forums.matronics.com">http://forums.matronics.com

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 [quote][b]

John Hauck

Joined: 09 Jan 2006
Posts: 4639
Location: Titus, Alabama (hauck's holler)

Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2009 5:11 pm Post subject: Fuel Filter Failure

I'm pulling through mine, just ahead of the engine  driven fuel pump.

  

 I would not hesitate to mount it either pressure or  vacuum side of pump.

  

 My Facet Electronic Fuel Pump is mounted below the  fuel tank.  When it is operating it is pushing fuel to the filter, then the  engine driven pump.

  

 It's a good idea to include fuel pump on,  pressurize the system, then check to make sure there are no leaks.  Seals  on the filter I use will leak if the filter is not properly reassembled.   Sometimes the filter element kits come with square shoulder o ring seals and  sometime round.  I think the square works with less chance of rolling and  causing a leak.

  

 I don't want to sound like it is a difficult job to  reassemble the filter correctly, but I am ham fisted enough to screw it up if I  don't pay enough attention to what I am doing.

  

 john h

 mkIII

 [quote]    

   Does anyone else use this    filter under pressure or are most in the draw side ahead of the    pump?

 G.Aman MK-3C Jabiru 2200A 465hrs



    

[b]

_________________
John Hauck
MKIII/912ULS
hauck's holler
Titus, Alabama

russ(at)rkiphoto.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Aug 18, 2009 6:53 am Post subject: Fuel Filter Failure

FWIW you may be able to determine the country of origin of fuel filters, and lots of other things. Look at the numbers  below the bar-codes. I've been  told 700's mean Taiwan, 600's China, and anything beginning  with a zero is either the US or Canada. Anyone know for sure?

On Aug 17, 2009, at 9:01 PM, robert bean wrote:

[quote] If you are using auto parts stores for a source NAPA tends to have more honorable stock.  Auto zone and Advance tend to have more junk.  (NAPA counter man humorously called them the "Dead Zone"

BB



On 17, Aug 2009, at 8:52 PM, John Hauck wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		  JC Whitney is notorious for cheap imitations.

 

I bought a handful of their look alike filters for other applications.  They were all junk.  As Brother Ted Cowan so eloquently described, couldn't get them to tighten down straight enough to make the seal.  Cheaper and safer to stuff'em in the trash can than to try and get a refund.

 

john h

mkIII 

 	  Quote: 	
		  No doubt there is more than one maker of those cylinder filters.  caveat emptor.

BB

 

	
	




[b]

JetPilot

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 1246

Posted: Tue Aug 18, 2009 8:36 am Post subject: Re: Fuel Filter Failure

Gary,



Thanks for sharing your story, that sounds like a very close call and potentially far more dangerous than an engine failure.  This is really what this forum is all about, these recent reports from fellow Kolb flyer's leave no room for doubt, using cheap fuel filters will likely result in aircraft damage due to forced landing or may even kill you.  Given all the close calls and stories of cheap fuel filters failing in the last couple days, its nothing short of foolish for people to keep using cheap lawnmower quality filters in airplanes.   Those that chose to ignore good advice and reports like the one above do so at their own peril.   Here is the URL to the best fuel filter on the planet for an experimental airplane as far as I am concerned.  .  This filter is designed to be washed, will last forever, has zero plastic in it, is ethanol proof, has duel screens, a larger mesh, and then large area very fine micro stainless steel 10 micron filter screen that that will filter far better than any fiber / paper element ever will.



http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/appages/micron10.php



If someone finds something better and safer, by all means post it.



John H,



The story above illustrates a point that you missed yesterday.  The fuel filter you have and recommend is not the filter that is sold today.  What someone buys today is most likely the same type of filter that Gary describes above, a cheap Chinese copy that is likely to fail.  I am not trying to get John H to change a filter that he has had for 14 years, but I sure as heck would not tell people to buy the same one, because chances are they cant, and will end up with something dangerous.



John, your fuel filter record is pretty good, and I am not trying to get you to change yours, because I know you wont.  My posts are for others out there that don't have your filter which I consider to be OK and safe, but not great...  For the record but there is still one engine failure you talked about yesterday in your 912-S where your fuel filter got completely clogged with fibers cutting off your fuel supply.  This engine failure may not have happened if you had a filter with a larger filter area, just speculation, we will never know for sure.  What I do know is that I spent close to 20,000 dollars for a reliable aviation type engine, and that spending this type of money for an engine and then having it fail due to using a cheap lawn mower type filter is nothing short of crazy.  Given all the cheap copy's that are being made of your fuel filter and problems with them out there John H, do you really think it is good advice to tell people they should go out and buy your type filter ?



Mike

_________________
"NO FEAR" - If you have no fear you did not go as fast as you could have !!!

Kolb MK-III Xtra, 912-S

John Hauck

Joined: 09 Jan 2006
Posts: 4639
Location: Titus, Alabama (hauck's holler)

Posted: Tue Aug 18, 2009 8:55 am Post subject: Fuel Filter Failure

Mike B:



 > Thanks for sharing your story, that sounds like a very close call and 

potentially far more dangerous than an engine failure.  This is really what 

this forum is all about, these recent reports from fellow Kolb flyer's leave 

no room for doubt, using cheap fuel filters will likely result in aircraft 

damage due to forced landing or may even kill you.  Given all the close 

calls and stories of cheap fuel filters failing in the last couple days, its 

nothing short of foolish for people to keep using cheap lawnmower quality 

filters in airplanes.   Those that chose to ignore good advice and reports 

like the one above do so at their own peril.   Here is the URL to the best 

fuel filter on the planet for an experimental airplane as far as I am 

concerned.  If someone finds something better and safer, by all means post 

it..  This filter is designed to be washed, will last forever, has zero 

plastic in it, is ethanol proof, has duel screens, a larger mesh, and then 

large area very fine micro!

 	  Quote: 	
		    stainless steel 10 micron filter screen that that will filter far better 

 than any fiber / paper element ever will.



 http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/appages/micron10.php



 John H,



 The story above illustrates a point that you missed yesterday.  The fuel 

 filter you have and recommend is not the filter that is sold today.  What 

 someone buys today is most likely the same type of filter that Gary 

 describes above, a cheap Chinese copy that is likely to fail.  I am not 

 trying to get John H to change a filter that he has had for 14 years, but 

 I sure as heck would not tell people to buy the same one, because chances 

 are they cant, and will end up with something dangerous.



 John, your fuel filter record is pretty good, and I am not trying to get 

 you to change yours, because I know you wont.  My posts are for others out 

 there that don't have your filter which I consider to be OK and safe, but 

 not great...  For the record but there is still one engine failure you 

 talked about yesterday in your 912-S where your fuel filter got completely 

 clogged with fibers cutting off your fuel supply.  This engine failure may 

 not have happened if you had a filter with a larger filter area, just 

 speculation, we will never know for sure.  What I do know is that I spent 

 close to 20,000 dollars for a reliable aviation type engine, and that 

 spending this type of money for an engine and then having it fail due to 

 using a cheap lawn mower type filter is nothing short of crazy.  Given all 

 the cheap copy's that are being made of your fuel filter and problems with 

 them out there John H, do you really think it is good advice to tell 

 people they should go out and buy your t!

 ype filter ?



 Mike



 --------

 &quot;NO FEAR&quot; -  If you have no fear you did not go as fast as you 

 could have !!!



 Kolb MK-III Xtra, 912-S





 Read this topic online here:



 http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p 58445#258445

_________________
John Hauck
MKIII/912ULS
hauck's holler
Titus, Alabama

John Hauck

Joined: 09 Jan 2006
Posts: 4639
Location: Titus, Alabama (hauck's holler)

Posted: Tue Aug 18, 2009 9:12 am Post subject: Fuel Filter Failure

Sorry, Gang:



I was going to reply to the previous post, but then wisely changed my mind.



I have a headache from beating my head up against a brick wall.



Think I'll take a nap.  



john h

mkIII - Flying with a pretty good, but not great, fuel filter, for more than 

4,000 hours, over the last 25 years, in three different Kolb aircraft.





---

_________________
John Hauck
MKIII/912ULS
hauck's holler
Titus, Alabama

jbhart(at)onlyinternet.ne
Guest

Posted: Tue Aug 18, 2009 10:08 am Post subject: Fuel Filter Failure

At 09:36 AM 8/18/09 -0700, you wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		  


	


 	  Quote: 	
		  .....................

calls and stories of cheap fuel filters failing in the last couple days, 
	


its nothing short of foolish for people to keep using cheap lawnmower 

quality filters in airplanes.  

 	  Quote: 	
		  .....................


	


Mike,



I do not recall anyone admitting that they were using "cheap lawnmower 

quality filter".  It is difficult to influence someone to change to your way 

of thinking, if you are going imply that they are already idiots.  I assume 

many on the List are very happy with the filters they are using and see no 

need to change.  I believe most pilots are optimistic about flying with the 

equipment they have chosen to use, and so spreading doom and gloom about 

using components that you do not favor will not win many, if any, over to 

your way of thinking.



Please continue to float out your ideas, but leave off the doom and gloom, 

and what you think may happen if others do not accept your personal choices.



FWIW



Jack B. Hart FF004

Winchester, IN

JetPilot

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 1246

Posted: Tue Aug 18, 2009 10:22 am Post subject: Re: Fuel Filter Failure

Jack,



You are just wrong about dismissing my warning as gloom and doom.  I have seen these problems first hand at my field, and we have had FOUR reports recently here on the list of similar problems.   This is not gloom and doom, this is a very REAL danger.   This information will probably save someone out there a crash one day.   I don't care if some take offense to it or not, using some of these cheap filters is just plain foolish, or stupid or whatever you want to call it.  If it hurts some feelings, so be it.   What is important is that the smarter, and more honest people will learn from this information and most probably save someone a crash sooner or later.   



John H,



If I am wrong about something in my previous posts about fuel filters, then by all means speak up.    I always stand behind the facts and sound advice, but I have little patience for personal politics and peoples egos getting in the way of good information and safety.



Mike

_________________
"NO FEAR" - If you have no fear you did not go as fast as you could have !!!

Kolb MK-III Xtra, 912-S

jbhart(at)onlyinternet.ne
Guest

Posted: Tue Aug 18, 2009 11:33 am Post subject: Fuel Filter Failure

At 11:22 AM 8/18/09 -0700, you wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		  



Mike,
	




With a FireFly, I have to fly light, and so I have been using one of those 

little inexpensive paper filters.  I placed it in the fuel line before the 

pulse pump and connect it to the pump inlet with a clear see through hose.  

The reason for doing this is that it ensures that the filter never sees any 

high pressure, and if there is a leak in the filter or in the system ahead 

of the filter, I will see bubbles in the tubing.



Some have said that you should stay away from paper filters as they will 

seal off if water gets into the line.  Think about this.  If the filter is 

put into the system in the dry condition and fuel is pumped up into the 

filter, the fuel will wet the filter medium, and gasoline will pass on 

through the filter.  Later if water manages to be sucked up into the line, 

the fuel wet filter medium will not let the water pass except and if it 

becomes adsorbed by the ethanol in the fuel.  If I placed the filter in the 

lowest point in my fuel system, and if I did not periodically dry out my 

tank, it could be possible to suck a sufficient amount of water into the 

line and filter, so that, it could block filter fuel flow to the point that 

it would starve the engine.  But by placing the filter high and before the 

pump this likely hood is almost non existent.



Using the system that I have described, I have never found any water in the 

float bowl, and I have not experienced engine failure due to fuel 

starvation.  Each spring, I clean the tank.



Again - FWIW



Jack B. Hart FF004

Winchester, IN

herbgh(at)nctc.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Aug 18, 2009 1:50 pm Post subject: Fuel Filter Failure

Jack and all

   Wondering which fuel filter TNK sends out with a kit or engine?? 

If any?  Do they have a recommendation...? Herb

At 02:10 PM 8/18/2009, you wrote:

 	  Quote: 	

At 09:36 AM 8/18/09 -0700, you wrote:

 >

 >.....................

calls and stories of cheap fuel filters failing in the last couple days,

its nothing short of foolish for people to keep using cheap lawnmower

quality filters in airplanes.

 >.....................

Mike,

I do not recall anyone admitting that they were using "cheap lawnmower

quality filter".  It is difficult to influence someone to change to your way

of thinking, if you are going imply that they are already idiots.  I assume

many on the List are very happy with the filters they are using and see no

need to change.  I believe most pilots are optimistic about flying with the

equipment they have chosen to use, and so spreading doom and gloom about

using components that you do not favor will not win many, if any, over to

your way of thinking.

Please continue to float out your ideas, but leave off the doom and gloom,

and what you think may happen if others do not accept your personal choices.

FWIW

Jack B. Hart FF004

Winchester, IN

Checked by AVG - www.avg.com

08/17/09 18:04:00

Carl Tosh

Joined: 20 Dec 2008
Posts: 12
Location: Douglass,Kansas

Posted: Tue Aug 18, 2009 5:00 pm Post subject: Re: Fuel Filter Failure

Hey All, I am using a Kawasaki Jetski, water separator fuel filter on an old Ultrastar that I am rebuilding. Got it off Ebay. It looks like a gascolator with aluminum top and plastic setteling bowl. Inside it has about an 1'' diameter x 1 1/2" long stainless mess filter. Bowl has a spring under filter to keep it off bottom and a o'ring to seal filter to inlet. Then you have about 1" or better of bowl to collect water. You unscrew ring retainer to remove bowl to service the cleanable filter mesh or to dump trapped water. This is the best thing I have found for filtering and water removal and you don't have to spend a bunch to service it. Also weighs about 6 or 8ozs. My three cents. CT.

_________________
mongsterone

slyck(at)frontiernet.net
Guest

Posted: Tue Aug 18, 2009 5:42 pm Post subject: Fuel Filter Failure

Carl, does it look like this? :http://tinyurl.com/lwtpdb

If so it looks like a decent piece of work.  How's the element replacement availability?

Today I was in Walmart and bought a Fram G12 fuel filter.  Clear bowl, captive element

and 1/4" nipples.  Made in Israel.

I might try it next year.

BB

On 18, Aug 2009, at 9:00 PM, Carl Tosh wrote:

[quote]--> Kolb-List message posted by: "Carl Tosh" <carl.tosh(at)yahoo.com (carl.tosh(at)yahoo.com)>

Hey All, I am using a Kawasaki Jetski, water separator fuel filter on an old Ultrastar that I am rebuilding. Got it off Ebay. It looks like a gascolator with aluminum top and plastic setteling bowl. Inside it has about an 1' diameter x 1 1/2" long stainless mess filter. Bowl has a spring under filter to keep it off bottom and a o'ring to seal filter to inlet. Then you have about 1" or better of bowl to collect water. You unscrew ring retainer to remove bowl to service the cleanable filter mesh or to dump trapped water. This is the best thing I have found for filtering and water removal and you don't have to spend a bunch to service it. Also weighs about 6 or 8ozs. My three cents. CT.

--------

mongsterone

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 [b]

pj.ladd(at)btinternet.com
Guest

Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2009 1:52 am Post subject: Fuel Filter Failure

I have to fly light, and so I have been using one of those little 

inexpensive paper filters. >>



You save WEIGHT on a flter?  Unbelievable!  Make sure you use some very, 

very, thin papers or you will never get of the ground.



Sheeez!



Pat

jbhart(at)onlyinternet.ne
Guest

Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2009 3:56 am Post subject: Fuel Filter Failure

At 10:52 AM 8/19/09 +0100, you wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		  



You save WEIGHT on a flter?  Unbelievable!  Make sure you use some very, 

very, thin papers or you will never get of the ground.




	


Pat,



To meet ultralight vehicle requirements, the empty and dry FireFly must 

weigh less than 254 pounds.  You have to constantly work at it to keep it 

below the limit.  And so it doesn't have much paint on it either.



Also since my fuel burn rates are two gph or less, there is no need for 

large heavy fuel filter.



Some buy and fly and some build and fly.  For financial reasons I had to 

build and fly.  But what is important is the flying and how to do it safely. 

Each of us has to do what makes us comfortable.  I like to experiment and 

the reason I do it is to make my FireFly more comfortable and enjoyable to 

fly.



103-7 provides the freedom to fly with a few restrictions at the lowest 

cost, which means one must assume complete responsibility for your craft and 

neck.  I am very thankful for 103-7, as it has allowed me to fly a fantastic 

adult toy for the last ten years.



Jack B. Hart FF004

Winchester, IN

slyck(at)frontiernet.net
Guest

Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2009 4:49 am Post subject: Fuel Filter Failure

103-7 is a category that most nationalities are not lucky enough to  

have.  It takes real mechanical discipline

to make it work and stay legal.  Once we get to the registered  

experimentals the sky is the limit.

Some like to build it exactly as the factory outlines, others like to  

use their own ideas, all legal under our rules.

My MkIII has:

suzuki 3 cylinder 4 stroke (from abandoned junker)

cog belt redrive

VW / solexPDSIT carb (Karmann Ghia)

80s era GM ignition

hand crafted water heated intake manifold

Yamaha water radiator with fan

summit racing oil cooler and thermostat

Renault inline water thermostat.

tube aluminum seat frames with webbing

metal nose cone

no wing center section

wing root fences

chopped wings

real doors

aluminum street sign (used) for panel

walmart trash can panel cover

and a few misc actual airplane parts

BB

it flies too!

On 19, Aug 2009, at 9:06 AM, Jack B. Hart wrote:

 	  Quote: 	

 <jbhart(at)onlyinternet.net>

 At 10:52 AM 8/19/09 +0100, you wrote:

> 

>

> You save WEIGHT on a flter?  Unbelievable!  Make sure you use some  

> very,

> very, thin papers or you will never get of the ground.

>

 Pat,

 To meet ultralight vehicle requirements, the empty and dry FireFly  

 must

 weigh less than 254 pounds.  You have to constantly work at it to  

 keep it

 below the limit.  And so it doesn't have much paint on it either.

 Also since my fuel burn rates are two gph or less, there is no need  

 for

 large heavy fuel filter.

 Some buy and fly and some build and fly.  For financial reasons I  

 had to

 build and fly.  But what is important is the flying and how to do  

 it safely.

 Each of us has to do what makes us comfortable.  I like to  

 experiment and

 the reason I do it is to make my FireFly more comfortable and  

 enjoyable to

 fly.

 103-7 provides the freedom to fly with a few restrictions at the  

 lowest

 cost, which means one must assume complete responsibility for your  

 craft and

 neck.  I am very thankful for 103-7, as it has allowed me to fly a  

 fantastic

 adult toy for the last ten years.

 Jack B. Hart FF004

 Winchester, IN

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