Today's Message Index:
----------------------
1. 12:24 AM - List of Contributors 2008 (Matt Dralle)
2. 03:54 AM - Re: electrical wiring for Kitfox 1 (William Skipwith)
3. 04:21 AM - Re: sight glass fuel indicator? (Bradley Webb)
4. 08:28 AM - Re: sight glass fuel indicator? (Lowell Fitt)
5. 09:15 AM - Re: sight glass fuel indicator? (Rick)
6. 11:38 AM - Re: electrical wiring for Kitfox 1 (Guy Buchanan)
7. 11:38 AM - Re: My Kitfox hit my car. What to look for damage wise? (Guy Buchanan)
8. 12:35 PM - Re: My Kitfox hit my car. What to look for damage wise? (815TL)
9. 12:39 PM - Re: sight glass fuel indicator? (Paul Morel)
10. 02:16 PM - Re: sight glass fuel indicator? (Lynn Matteson)
11. 02:45 PM - Re: Re: Kitfox mishap in Colorado (Noel Loveys)
12. 03:23 PM - Re: sight glass fuel indicator? (patrick reilly)
13. 07:14 PM - Re: sight glass fuel indicator? (Lynn Matteson)
14. 07:23 PM - Re: sight glass fuel indicator? (Lynn Matteson)
15. 07:26 PM - Re: sight glass fuel indicator? (gary.algate@sandvik.com)
Message 1
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| Subject: | List of Contributors 2008 |
Dear Listers,
This year's Fund Raiser has drawn to a close and I want to thank everyone that
so generously made a contribution this year in support of the Matronics Email
List and Forum operation. Your generosity keeps the wheels on this cart and I
truly appreciate the many kind words of encouragement and financial reimbursement.
If you haven't yet made a Contribution in support of this year's Fund Raiser, please
feel free to do so. The great List Fund Raiser gifts will be available
on the Contribution site for a little while longer, so hurry and make your Contribution
today and still get your great gift! Once again, the URL for the Contribution
web site is:
http://www.matronics.com/contribution
or by personal check to:
Matronics / Matt Dralle
PO Box 347
Livermore CA 94551-0347
I would like to thank Andy Gold of the Builder's Bookstore ( http://www.buildersbooks.com ), Jon Croke of HomebuiltHELP ( http://www.homebuilthelp.com ) and Bob Nuckolls of AeroElectric ( http://www.aeroelectric.com ) for their extremely generous support during this year's Fund Raiser through the contribution of discounted merchandise. These are great guys that support the aviation industry and I encourage each and every Lister to have a look at their products. Thank you Andy, Jon and Bob!! Your support is very much appreciated!
And finally, below you will find a web link to the 2008 List of Contributors current
as of 12/7/08! Have a look at this list of names as *these* are the people
that make all of these List services possible! I can't thank each of you
enough for your support and great feedback during this year's Fund Raiser!
THANK YOU!
http://www.matronics.com/loc/2008.html
I will be shipping out all of the gifts around the end of December. In most cases,
gifts will be shipped via US Postal Service.
Once again, thank you for making this year's List Fund Raiser successful!
Best regards,
Matt Dralle
Matronics Email List Administrator
Message 2
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| Subject: | Re: electrical wiring for Kitfox 1 |
I actually had the same thing happen on my 66 C-150 when I changed the
battery. I repaired a small wire that I thought I broke while removing
the battery. It turned out that when I had the plunger type ignition
replaced with a push button the wire was no longer needed and was cut
into but never removed. The ignition was heavy duty so it was not
effected by my bad.
On Dec 7, 2008, at 9:41 PM, jlno7@aim.com wrote:
> I have a Kitfox 1 with 2 modifications. I believe I have a short in
> my wiring and am wondering if there is a wiring diagram for my
> plane. I recently installed a new battery and when I hooked it up
> the wire melted from the ignition all the way to the battery. This
> is not the main cable but a regular gauge wire that attached from
> the battery to the ignition switch. Can anyone give me advice on
> locating the problem.
> Jerry Novak
> N299JK
>
> Listen to 350+ music, sports, & news radio stations ' including
> songs for the holidays ' FREE while you browse. Start Listening Now!
>
Message 3
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| Subject: | sight glass fuel indicator? |
The AN series aluminum reducers would work better than brass, I'd think.
Taps are tapered, so you could size the threads smaller than normal, and get
a good "bite", such that the adhesive would only serve to seal it and hold
it in place.
BTW, I slip to feed the header in the exact same way. But my fuel system is
designed to detect header feed and level, not so much fuel level in the
tanks.
Because I run a fuel injected engine which requires pressure, I have a flow
sender that tells me flow into the header, and a level switch in the header
tank to detect anything less than full. With this setup, no fuel flow
indication means my header is not getting filled, and I wait for the light
to come on, which indicates about 45 minutes of run time remaining at that
point.
It works nicely, in that I can do whatever is required to keep feeding the
header tank (slip, etc.) and when the light goes on, I have VFR fuel
reserve, and need to land. I know that at 21 in/hg, I flow about 2.2gph, so
less flow indicates no header feeding, such as a blockage. More flow
indicates the header has gotten low, and is refilling itself. Either way,
the fuel pump is sending fuel to the engine.
Actually, my fuel tank level senders are superfluous, and only serve to
provide an estimate of fuel level in flight. I use them more on preflight to
determine whether refueling is necessary. On my new Model three, I'm going
to do both senders and sight gauges, just for redundancy, and neither is
hard nor expensive to do.
Bradley
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-kitfox-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-kitfox-list-
> server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Lynn Matteson
> Sent: Sunday, December 07, 2008 9:18 AM
> To: kitfox-list@matronics.com
> Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: sight glass fuel indicator?
>
>
> I'm not sure if epoxy would stick to the brass, would it? Maybe scuff
> it up real good, or better yet, chuck it up in a lathe and knurl the
> outside of the threaded area, then epoxy in place. That would
> certainly make enough of a "bitable surface" for epoxy adherence.
>
> As far as getting it right down to the bottom of the tank, remember
> this is only for a sight gauge, so not being able to visibly read the
> very last drop of fuel would be a good thing...you'd be landing for a
> fill-up before you got into an emergency situation (said the guy who
> flies with one wing low so the other can feed his header tank, and
> thereby make it to the next stop) : )
>
> Lynn Matteson
> Kitfox IV Speedster, taildragger
> Jabiru 2200, #2062, 593hrs
> Sensenich 62x46
> flying again after rebuild, and new Electroair direct-fire ignition
> system;
> also building a new pair of snow skis
> do not archive
>
>
>
> On Dec 6, 2008, at 10:03 PM, Bradley Webb wrote:
>
> >
> > Lynn,
> >
> > The idea of using the threaded reducer is a very good one. One
> > could epoxy
> > that in place so it's would stay permanently. The only small issue
> > I could
> > see is that the port will not be at the very bottom of the tank.
> >
> > Bradley
>
>
>
>
Message 4
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| Subject: | Re: sight glass fuel indicator? |
For what it's worth, over the weekend I rethought my suggested method for
retrofitting a sight gauge in an already installed tank and thought of one
additional step. After the bosses are fabricated and tapped, I would
postition them in place, mark the position of the tapped hole, drill through
the tank - small hole -and Hysol a short length of aluminum tube through
the hole. The tube would protect the wall of the tank from constant contact
with fuel. Then I would Hysol the fabricted tapped boss to the side of the
tank.
Lowell
----- Original Message -----
From: "Lowell Fitt" <lcfitt@sbcglobal.net>
Sent: Saturday, December 06, 2008 8:21 PM
Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: sight glass fuel indicator?
>
> For what it's worth, the reducer is a long time practice with Kitfox for
> the finger strainers which are, or should be, removed periodically for
> inspection. Thinking of the finger strainers, I don't think with these in
> place and the usual down line fuel filters, I would hesitate drilling for
> sight gauges. I think there are methods to remove most drill debris and
> methods to reduce it.
>
> I think, what I would do is make a boss out of fiberglass, drill and tap
> the boss, then glue it in the desired place with Hysol. Then take a #30
> or so drill and drill down the center of the threaded boss. This way you
> don't have to put a drilled plug in the tubing to dampen surges in the
> sight gauge. The sight gauges are standard on the Model IV and up so
> they have tons of long term use. I think the leakage issues of time past
> have been resolved with different fittings and lots of home brew methods
> for nice looking and quite accurate gauges - mine - I could estimate
> within a gallon or so. Personally, I would much rather look at my fuel
> than a needle if fuel was a critical issue at any time.
>
> I talked to a guy recently that mistook a vertical needle as half full,
> when it actually was on flat out empty. Then we can all recall stories of
> folks that suffered engine outs with lots of fuel still showing on the
> gauge. Not much chance of error with a puddle of gas in a plastic tube.
>
> If you haven't worked much with fiberglass, cover the desired areas top
> and bottom with clear packing tape and then lay on a couple of layers of
> fiberglass. When it cures, pop the glass off and using that as a bases,
> lay up enough additional layers for sufficient threads to hold the
> fitting. Drill and tap and trim to a reasonable shape and size and after
> roughing both mating surfaces glue it in place with Hysol or some other
> structural adhesive. Drill the tiny hole and put the fittings and tubing
> together. With this method, the only clearance issues would be fitting
> issues and it could be placed pretty close to the top and bottom of the
> tank. Any debris from the drilling would be minimal and easily trapped in
> the fiters.
>
> Lowell Fitt
> Cameron Park, CA
> Model IV-1200 R-912 UL
> Currently focusing on the Left Wing, Rudder Gap Seal Cuffs and Landing
> Gear Fairing
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Bradley Webb" <bmwebb@cox.net>
> To: <kitfox-list@matronics.com>
> Sent: Saturday, December 06, 2008 7:03 PM
> Subject: RE: Kitfox-List: sight glass fuel indicator?
>
>
>>
>> Lynn,
>>
>> The idea of using the threaded reducer is a very good one. One could
>> epoxy
>> that in place so it's would stay permanently. The only small issue I
>> could
>> see is that the port will not be at the very bottom of the tank.
>>
>> Bradley
>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: owner-kitfox-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-kitfox-list-
>>> server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Lynn Matteson
>>> Sent: Saturday, December 06, 2008 11:21 AM
>>> To: kitfox-list@matronics.com
>>> Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: sight glass fuel indicator?
>>>
>>>
>>> Regarding thread stripping....if you drill and thread to 1/4" NPT,
>>> and install 1/4 NPT-to-1/8 NPT reducing bushings, you'll only have to
>>> install into the tank one time. I'd prefer this method to tubing
>>> which is epoxied in place...too little mechanical grip with this
>>> method, but that's just me.
>>>
>>> Lynn Matteson
>>> Kitfox IV Speedster, taildragger
>>> Jabiru 2200, #2062, 593hrs
>>> Sensenich 62x46
>>> flying again after rebuild, and new Electroair direct-fire ignition
>>> system;
>>> also building a new pair of snow skis
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Dec 6, 2008, at 8:26 AM, Bradley Webb wrote:
>>>
>>> >
>>> > James,
>>> > There's no need to thread anything into the fiberglass. Drill holes
>>> > at the
>>> > very top and bottom, and epoxy in short aluminum tubes to which you
>>> > will
>>> > attach the clear tubing. Threads suck in this application most of
>>> > the time,
>>> > and they leak, get cross threaded easily, and will strip out about
>>> > the third
>>> > time you pull the tubing off of them.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
Message 5
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| Subject: | sight glass fuel indicator? |
Not to offend any of the possible solutions offered, but If she were
mine I would just add a small fuel flow gage to the panel. You can put
the pick up in the fuel supply line. Several are offered and have many
advantages over just looking up to see what is left. Not that that is a
bad thing, far from it. But at this point in the finished state of the
aircraft it just makes more sense to me.
If you do decide to go with the sight tubes let me know and I will look
to see what I have laying around. Seems I was going to replace something
and had to buy the entire kit. If you do drill the fiberglass for
fittings might I suggest you do a bit of glass layer build up first. You
could also put in some nice permanent bushings to screw your tube
fittings in to.
Rick
Message 6
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| Subject: | Re: electrical wiring for Kitfox 1 |
At 07:41 PM 12/7/2008, you wrote:
>I believe I have a short in my wiring and am
>wondering if there is a wiring diagram for my
>plane. I recently installed a new battery and
>when I hooked it up the wire melted from the
>ignition all the way to the battery.
Jerry,
First, unless your plane came with one
you won't find a valid wiring diagram, as no two
Kitfoxes are the same in this regard. That said,
these planes are pretty simple so it should be
easy to diagnose. You obviously generated a dead
short, meaning you connected the battery positive
to negative with nearly no resistance, or load.
The most likely culprit is that a wire that
should have been connected to ground was
connected to hot, or some other missed
connection. The second would be a switch failure,
in which one of the terminals gets shorted to
ground. (This usually results in a high
resistance failure, melting the switch, not the wiring.)
Give us more details on the layout and
we'll try to help you diagnose from afar. (And if
you put your location in your signature, you
might find a local Kitfoxer with skills to help. ;-) )
Guy Buchanan
San Diego, CA
K-IV 1200 / 582-C / Warp / 100% done, thanks mostly to Bob Ducar.
Message 7
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| Subject: | Re: My Kitfox hit my car. What to look for damage wise? |
At 02:46 PM 12/7/2008, you wrote:
>Ya know, if it wern't for bad luck I, I would have no luck at all.
Andrew! What the hell's goin' on!? At least you've got your
priorities straight; not a word about your wife's car. ;-) Seriously
though, it sounds like you've proved the robustness of the Kitfox
once again. In general steel frames are very resilient, in that they
tend to bend, more than break. Therefore, if you can't see any
damage, then I doubt that any exists. One thing you didn't mention
was overall alignment- is the empennage straight? Are the stabs
parallel the wings? Is the rudder vertical? I not, you may have
twisted the entire fuselage, possibly bending one of the internal
diagonals. (Which you could see looking back from the baggage
compartment.) If not I'd say you got off easy. Good luck!
Guy Buchanan
San Diego, CA
K-IV 1200 / 582-C / Warp / 100% done, thanks mostly to Bob Ducar.
Message 8
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| Subject: | Re: My Kitfox hit my car. What to look for damage wise? |
Guy Buchanan wrote:
> At 02:46 PM 12/7/2008, you wrote:
>
> > Ya know, if it wern't for bad luck I, I would have no luck at all.
> >
> >
>
> Andrew! What the hell's goin' on!? At least you've got your
> priorities straight; not a word about your wife's car. ;-) Seriously
> though, it sounds like you've proved the robustness of the Kitfox
> once again. In general steel frames are very resilient, in that they
> tend to bend, more than break. Therefore, if you can't see any
> damage, then I doubt that any exists. One thing you didn't mention
> was overall alignment- is the empennage straight? Are the stabs
> parallel the wings? Is the rudder vertical? I not, you may have
> twisted the entire fuselage, possibly bending one of the internal
> diagonals. (Which you could see looking back from the baggage
> compartment.) If not I'd say you got off easy. Good luck!
>
>
> Guy Buchanan
> San Diego, CA
> K-IV 1200 / 582-C / Warp / 100% done, thanks mostly to Bob Ducar.
You got me Guy. I have always had bad luck with things. About the only good luck
I have had in the past few years is 2 healthy children, and they found natural
gas under my property (a few bucks extra a month). Everything else I tocuh
seems to go bad. :(
I did not get to pull the tarp off and put the wings out it last night, as the
winds were still quite high. I am going to tonight and take a better look at
it. I don't think the fuse is twisted, it looks OK from what I could see. I
could not tell if the tail and everthing was straight, but I should be able to
tonight. What had me worried the most was the horiz. stab. buing pushed up on
the one side. But like I said, there was no bent tubeing, or wrinkles that
I could see.
The wives van did not fair too bad. A couple of scuffs on the hood, and a little
red paint from the plane. She was not too happy, but understanding.
I will let you all know what it looks like tonight when I get the wings out.
Andrew
Read this topic online here:
http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=218277#218277
Message 9
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| Subject: | Re: sight glass fuel indicator? |
Here's about the cheapest Fuel Flow system I found. I got it a little
cheaper at Oshkosh this past summer and it's going in my Speedster.
http://www.fdatasystems.com/
Paul Morel
Model IV Speedster
Locust Grove, GA
----- Original Message -----
From: "Rick" <wingsdown@verizon.net>
Sent: Monday, December 08, 2008 12:13 PM
Subject: RE: Kitfox-List: sight glass fuel indicator?
>
> Not to offend any of the possible solutions offered, but If she were
> mine I would just add a small fuel flow gage to the panel. You can put
> the pick up in the fuel supply line. Several are offered and have many
> advantages over just looking up to see what is left. Not that that is a
> bad thing, far from it. But at this point in the finished state of the
> aircraft it just makes more sense to me.
>
> If you do decide to go with the sight tubes let me know and I will look
> to see what I have laying around. Seems I was going to replace something
> and had to buy the entire kit. If you do drill the fiberglass for
> fittings might I suggest you do a bit of glass layer build up first. You
> could also put in some nice permanent bushings to screw your tube
> fittings in to.
>
>
> Rick
>
>
>
Message 10
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| Subject: | Re: sight glass fuel indicator? |
My two wing tanks feed the header tank, which, when full, fills up
the low fuel indicator tank and then back up to the right wing tank.
As long as I've got no yellow light on, I'm good for at least 15
minutes flight. But when I know I'm low on fuel, I'll glance at the
clear line between the low fuel indicator tank and the right wing,
and if it starts to show air instead of fuel, then I've got a heads-
up that the yellow (low fuel) light will soon glow, indicating that
I've got 15 minutes to find fuel or go into the low-wing method of
transferring fuel to the header tank. It's a lot less scary than it
sounds!
Lynn Matteson
Kitfox IV Speedster, taildragger
Jabiru 2200, #2062, 593hrs
Sensenich 62x46
flying again after rebuild, and new Electroair direct-fire ignition
system;
also building a new pair of snow skis
do not archive
On Dec 8, 2008, at 7:21 AM, Bradley Webb wrote:
>
> BTW, I slip to feed the header in the exact same way. But my fuel
> system is
> designed to detect header feed and level, not so much fuel level in
> the
> tanks.
>
> Bradley
>> As far as getting it right down to the bottom of the tank, remember
>> this is only for a sight gauge, so not being able to visibly read the
>> very last drop of fuel would be a good thing...you'd be landing for a
>> fill-up before you got into an emergency situation (said the guy who
>> flies with one wing low so the other can feed his header tank, and
>> thereby make it to the next stop) : )
>>
>> Lynn
Message 11
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| Subject: | Re: Kitfox mishap in Colorado |
Just what I was thinking.... One other thing scrap the idea of putting on
an IFA prop.
Noel
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-kitfox-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-kitfox-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Lynn Matteson
Sent: Sunday, December 07, 2008 10:38 AM
Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: Re: Kitfox mishap in Colorado
And if you do that, you'll have just lost a lot of potential buyers
in the Sport Pilot category...IF you should ever decide to sell the
plane.
Lynn Matteson
Kitfox IV Speedster, taildragger
Jabiru 2200, #2062, 593hrs
Sensenich 62x46
flying again after rebuild, and new Electroair direct-fire ignition
system;
also building a new pair of snow skis
On Dec 6, 2008, at 5:59 PM, JetPilot wrote:
>
> Guy is correct, being an experimental airplane, the builder can
> make the gross weight anything we wants....
>
> I am going to have a gross weight of 2000 pounds on my Kitfox, just
> so that no one can ever ever accuse me of flying overweight should
> something happen :)
>
> --------
> "NO FEAR" - 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=217956#217956
>
>
Message 12
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| Subject: | sight glass fuel indicator? |
Lynn=2C Please explain the "low wing method". Thanks.
Pat reilly
Mod 3582 Rebuild
Rockford=2C IL> From: lynnmatt@jps.net> Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: sight gla
ss fuel indicator?> Date: Mon=2C 8 Dec 2008 17:15:28 -0500> To: kitfox-list
t@jps.net>> > My two wing tanks feed the header tank=2C which=2C when full
=2C fills up > the low fuel indicator tank and then back up to the right wi
ng tank. > As long as I've got no yellow light on=2C I'm good for at least
15 > minutes flight. But when I know I'm low on fuel=2C I'll glance at the
> clear line between the low fuel indicator tank and the right wing=2C > an
d if it starts to show air instead of fuel=2C then I've got a heads- > up t
hat the yellow (low fuel) light will soon glow=2C indicating that > I've go
t 15 minutes to find fuel or go into the low-wing method of > transferring
fuel to the header tank. It's a lot less scary than it > sounds!> > Lynn Ma
tteson> Kitfox IV Speedster=2C taildragger> Jabiru 2200=2C #2062=2C 593hrs>
Sensenich 62x46> flying again after rebuild=2C and new Electroair direct-f
ire ignition > system=3B> also building a new pair of snow skis> do not arc
hive> > > > On Dec 8=2C 2008=2C at 7:21 AM=2C Bradley Webb wrote:> > > -->
Kitfox-List message posted by: "Bradley Webb" <bmwebb@cox.net>> >> > BTW=2C
I slip to feed the header in the exact same way. But my fuel > > system is
> > designed to detect header feed and level=2C not so much fuel level in >
> the> > tanks.> >> > Bradley> > > >> As far as getting it right down to t
he bottom of the tank=2C remember> >> this is only for a sight gauge=2C so
not being able to visibly read the> >> very last drop of fuel would be a go
od thing...you'd be landing for a> >> fill-up before you got into an emerge
ncy situation (said the guy who> >> flies with one wing low so the other ca
n feed his header tank=2C and> >> thereby make it to the next stop) : )> >>
===================> > >
Message 13
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| Subject: | Re: sight glass fuel indicator? |
Well, if you've got fuel tanks in both wings, by banking the plane
slightly, the fuel in the upper wing tank will flow toward the outlet
of that tank (if the outlet is on the inner wall of the tank...that
is, the side of the tank closest to the center of the plane), and
flow downward, helping to fill the header tank. If one of your tanks
empties faster than the other, this is a good way to insure that the
fuel in the most-full tank will flow into the header tank. This is
just a semi-emergency method of getting the normally "unusable fuel"
in the tank to flow into the header tank. You can sometimes just fly
with the nose slightly elevated and wings level if you need to get
those last few drops out of the tanks.
I'm not condoning these methods and by far the best thing to do is
have an adequate amount of fuel on board in the first place, but I've
used these methods to actually fill the header tank and make the low-
fuel warning light go out, because at the point that this light (in
my system anyway) goes out, I know that I have a full header
tank...approx 1 gallon...and can fly for 15 more minutes, more than
enough for flying around the area where I fly, where there is usually
fuel within that amount of time. I would not push it this far in
unfamiliar territory. This is just a last chance effort to use the
fuel that you have aboard. I've practiced doing this, as I feel one
should know his or her plane well enough to know where the fuel is
going in the system and why it's going there, and how to make it go
where it doesn't want to...within reason.
Lynn Matteson
Kitfox IV Speedster, taildragger
Jabiru 2200, #2062, 593hrs
Sensenich 62x46
flying again after rebuild, and new Electroair direct-fire ignition
system;
also building a new pair of snow skis
On Dec 8, 2008, at 6:22 PM, patrick reilly wrote:
> Lynn, Please explain the "low wing method". Thanks.
>
> Pat reilly
> Mod 3582 Rebuild
> Rockford, IL
>
> > From: lynnmatt@jps.net
> > Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: sight glass fuel indicator?
> > Date: Mon, 8 Dec 2008 17:15:28 -0500
> > To: kitfox-list@matronics.com
> >
> >
> > My two wing tanks feed the header tank, which, when full, fills up
> > the low fuel indicator tank and then back up to the right wing tank.
> > As long as I've got no yellow light on, I'm good for at least 15
> > minutes flight. But when I know I'm low on fuel, I'll glance at the
> > clear line between the low fuel indicator tank and the right wing,
> > and if it starts to show air instead of fuel, then I've got a heads-
> > up that the yellow (low fuel) light will soon glow, indicating that
> > I've got 15 minutes to find fuel or go into the low-wing method of
> > transferring fuel to the header tank. It's a lot less scary than it
> > sounds!
> >
> > Lynn Matteson
> > Kitfox IV Speedster, taildragger
> > Jabiru 2200, #2062, 593hrs
> > Sensenich 62x46
> > flying again after rebuild, and new Electroair direct-fire ignition
> > system;
> > also building a new pair of snow skis
> > do not archive
> >
> >
> >
> > On Dec 8, 2008, at 7:21 AM, Bradley Webb wrote:
> >
> > >
> > > BTW, I slip to feed the header in the exact same way. But my fuel
> > > system is
> > > designed to detect header feed and level, not so much fuel
> level in
> > > the
> > > tanks.
> > >
> > > Bradley
> >
> >
> > >> As far as getting it right down to the bottom of the tank,
> remember
> > >> this is only for a sight gauge, so not being able to visibly
> read the
> > >> very last drop of fuel would be a good thing...you'd be
> landing for a
> > >> fill-up before you got into an emergency situation (said the
> guy who
> > >> flies with one wing low so the other can feed his header tank,
> and
> > >> thereby make it to the next stop) : )
> > >>
> >====================
> > _======
> >
> >
> >
>
> ============================================================ _-
> ============================================================ _-
> ===========================================================
Message 14
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| Subject: | Re: sight glass fuel indicator? |
One more thing....I've got clear glass filters in my downlines from
my wing tanks to the header tank, and can also observe that these are
full (or not), and this helps me judge whether or not the fuel is
flowing. After the header tank is full, I can observe fuel flowing
upwards in the clear vent line that leads from the header tank
through the low-fuel warning tank (about 10 ounces), and upwards to
the upper reaches of the right wing tank. This is visual proof of 15
minutes more useable fuel left, and I can then level the plane and
fly towards fuel or a landing place.
Lynn Matteson
Kitfox IV Speedster, taildragger
Jabiru 2200, #2062, 593hrs
Sensenich 62x46
flying again after rebuild, and new Electroair direct-fire ignition
system;
also building a new pair of snow skis
On Dec 8, 2008, at 6:22 PM, patrick reilly wrote:
> Lynn, Please explain the "low wing method". Thanks.
>
> Pat reilly
> Mod 3582 Rebuild
> Rockford, IL
>
> > From: lynnmatt@jps.net
> > Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: sight glass fuel indicator?
> > Date: Mon, 8 Dec 2008 17:15:28 -0500
> > To: kitfox-list@matronics.com
> >
> >
> > My two wing tanks feed the header tank, which, when full, fills up
> > the low fuel indicator tank and then back up to the right wing tank.
> > As long as I've got no yellow light on, I'm good for at least 15
> > minutes flight. But when I know I'm low on fuel, I'll glance at the
> > clear line between the low fuel indicator tank and the right wing,
> > and if it starts to show air instead of fuel, then I've got a heads-
> > up that the yellow (low fuel) light will soon glow, indicating that
> > I've got 15 minutes to find fuel or go into the low-wing method of
> > transferring fuel to the header tank. It's a lot less scary than it
> > sounds!
> >
> > Lynn
Message 15
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| Subject: | Re: sight glass fuel indicator? |
Lynn if you fly inverted for a short period you can squeeze out another
2.5 minutes!
Hardy Har Har Har
Gary Algate
Classic 4 Jab 2200
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Christmas".
Lynn Matteson <lynnmatt@jps.net>
Sent by: owner-kitfox-list-server@matronics.com
09/12/2008 01:50 PM
Please respond to
kitfox-list@matronics.com
To
kitfox-list@matronics.com
cc
Subject
Re: Kitfox-List: sight glass fuel indicator?
Well, if you've got fuel tanks in both wings, by banking the plane
slightly, the fuel in the upper wing tank will flow toward the outlet
of that tank (if the outlet is on the inner wall of the tank...that
is, the side of the tank closest to the center of the plane), and
flow downward, helping to fill the header tank. If one of your tanks
empties faster than the other, this is a good way to insure that the
fuel in the most-full tank will flow into the header tank. This is
just a semi-emergency method of getting the normally "unusable fuel"
in the tank to flow into the header tank. You can sometimes just fly
with the nose slightly elevated and wings level if you need to get
those last few drops out of the tanks.
I'm not condoning these methods and by far the best thing to do is
have an adequate amount of fuel on board in the first place, but I've
used these methods to actually fill the header tank and make the low-
fuel warning light go out, because at the point that this light (in
my system anyway) goes out, I know that I have a full header
tank...approx 1 gallon...and can fly for 15 more minutes, more than
enough for flying around the area where I fly, where there is usually
fuel within that amount of time. I would not push it this far in
unfamiliar territory. This is just a last chance effort to use the
fuel that you have aboard. I've practiced doing this, as I feel one
should know his or her plane well enough to know where the fuel is
going in the system and why it's going there, and how to make it go
where it doesn't want to...within reason.
Lynn Matteson
Kitfox IV Speedster, taildragger
Jabiru 2200, #2062, 593hrs
Sensenich 62x46
flying again after rebuild, and new Electroair direct-fire ignition
system;
also building a new pair of snow skis
On Dec 8, 2008, at 6:22 PM, patrick reilly wrote:
> Lynn, Please explain the "low wing method". Thanks.
>
> Pat reilly
> Mod 3582 Rebuild
> Rockford, IL
>
> > From: lynnmatt@jps.net
> > Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: sight glass fuel indicator?
> > Date: Mon, 8 Dec 2008 17:15:28 -0500
> > To: kitfox-list@matronics.com
> >
> >
> > My two wing tanks feed the header tank, which, when full, fills up
> > the low fuel indicator tank and then back up to the right wing tank.
> > As long as I've got no yellow light on, I'm good for at least 15
> > minutes flight. But when I know I'm low on fuel, I'll glance at the
> > clear line between the low fuel indicator tank and the right wing,
> > and if it starts to show air instead of fuel, then I've got a heads-
> > up that the yellow (low fuel) light will soon glow, indicating that
> > I've got 15 minutes to find fuel or go into the low-wing method of
> > transferring fuel to the header tank. It's a lot less scary than it
> > sounds!
> >
> > Lynn Matteson
> > Kitfox IV Speedster, taildragger
> > Jabiru 2200, #2062, 593hrs
> > Sensenich 62x46
> > flying again after rebuild, and new Electroair direct-fire ignition
> > system;
> > also building a new pair of snow skis
> > do not archive
> >
> >
> >
> > On Dec 8, 2008, at 7:21 AM, Bradley Webb wrote:
> >
> > >
> > > BTW, I slip to feed the header in the exact same way. But my fuel
> > > system is
> > > designed to detect header feed and level, not so much fuel
> level in
> > > the
> > > tanks.
> > >
> > > Bradley
> >
> >
> > >> As far as getting it right down to the bottom of the tank,
> remember
> > >> this is only for a sight gauge, so not being able to visibly
> read the
> > >> very last drop of fuel would be a good thing...you'd be
> landing for a
> > >> fill-up before you got into an emergency situation (said the
> guy who
> > >> flies with one wing low so the other can feed his header tank,
> and
> > >> thereby make it to the next stop) : )
> > >>
> >====================
> > =5F======
> >
> >
> >
>
> ========================
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