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lcfitt(at)sbcglobal.net
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 Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2009 6:38 pm Post subject: Fuel flow issues |
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I re-read the initial post carefully and what comes to my mind is the much discussed - in times past - phenomenon of the fuel draining unevenly from the tanks. I can't suggest the best key word for an archive search, but there is a lot in there about this.
It appears that the problems mentioned occur after a top off of the tanks where both tanks are full. I might suggest that what you are experiencing is the typical one tank draining faster than the other with no real fuel flow issues other than the cosmetic ones from looking at the transparent tubing and seeing the fuel differential in the tanks.
As mentioned, there has been a lot of theorizing on why this happens. Some have placed fuel shut off valves to control it and some have learned to ignore it. To my knowledge, there has never been a Kitfox that had an engine stoppage with fuel in the tanks - assuming the system has been properly designed and maintained.
What I might suggest. The next time you see it happening, purposely try flying a bit uncoordinated with the slow draining tank high and see if you see some difference in your fuel flow. I have many hours in flights of four or more - up to ten Kitfoxes, and can state that lots of guys fly with one wing low. With head pressure a recent discussion topic, a high wing tank will have significantly higher head pressure then the low wing tank and will drain more quickly than the low wing tank and might even trans fill to the low wing tank. With partially filled tanks the phenomenon will not be as pronounced.
We had one pilot with a Franklin Powered Moddel V meet up with us at Elk City, Idaho and he was sweating bullets. He insisted that he had a fuel flow problem and would not fly another minute until it was checked out. With the six airplanes, we found enough tools to pretty much disassemble his fuel system. We tested everything including fuel flow in all the attitudes we could put the airplane in while on the ground and after he was satisfied, we flew the rest of the week with no incidents. In this case, he just needed to be reassured.
Our airplanes are designed with no thrust offset in the engine mounts. This almost always requires some rudder input for coordinated flight or some rudder trim. With rudder trim, the typical trim tab is fixed and ground adjustable and will not result in perfect trim in all speed ranges. With a long cross country in mind, it is not uncommon to sort of fall asleep at the wheel and follow the GPS ,and enjoying the view without paying as much attention to the little black ball.
Lowell
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Tom Jones
Joined: 12 Mar 2006
Posts: 752
Location: Ellensburg, WA
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| Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 5:18 am Post subject: Re: Fuel flow issues |
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| Quote: | | I have many hours in flights of four or more - up to ten Kitfoxes, and can state that lots of guys fly with one wing low. |
Lowell. You are right about that. I often catch myself flying with one wing low. I don't have any rudder trim tab and must pay attention with my feet to fly straight.
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_________________
Tom Jones
Classic IV
503 Rotax, 72 inch Two blade Warp
Ellensburg, WA |
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