Today's Message Index:
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1. 12:30 PM - Re: observations on fuel imbalance discussion (Bitterlich, Mark G CIV Det Cherry Point, MALS-14 64E)
2. 04:29 PM - Re: observations on fuel imbalance discussion (Roger Kemp M.D.)
Message 1
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| Subject: | observations on fuel imbalance discussion |
I own a UTVA-66 as well as a YAK-50. Obviously the "slipping method"
does not work on the 50.
However, on the UTVA-66, I can make the fuel gages in either wing read
whatever I want by slipping the aircraft. I can go from empty to half
full on either tank simply by stepping on the rudder. Since there is no
easy way for huge amounts of fuel to change tanks in 5 seconds, it is
likely that I am only impacting the readings of the fuel gage.
That said, I have learned a very simple way to determine fuel flow, and
the amount left in the tank.
When it becomes very very quiet, the selected tank has no more fuel in
it.
Works for me.
Mark Bitterlich
p.s. Yes, I know CJ's and 52's don't have selectable tanks. Sigh .....
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-yak-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-yak-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Brian Lloyd
Sent: Friday, February 17, 2012 5:42 PM
Subject: Yak-List: observations on fuel imbalance discussion
Ah, how we love to take sides. :-)
So, while you are busy deciding who is right and who is wrong, please
consider:
1. Whether or not we like the person making the posting has no
effect on the reality of the situation.
2. Given the number of variables and unless you have a
very-well-controlled environment in which you are collecting data,
in-flight anecdotal "evidence" is always suspect.
3. That being said, there are quite a few CJ6A and Yak-52 aircraft
that respond well to slipping the aircraft slightly in order to favor
fuel flow from one tank or the other to even out flow, thus implying
that there is no endemic problem with either the fuel system or vent
system design. (My own experience is that 100% of the CJ6A and Yak-52
aircraft that I have flown have responded to this means of evening fuel
flow from the tanks but I refer you to item #2 above.)
4. Only a rigidly-controlled test is going to determine if a
particular aircraft has an asymmetric fuel-flow problem.
So, if you think you have a problem I recommend the following:
1. Inspect your fuel and vent system, replacing old rubber hose and
cleaning all hard lines. (I suspect some people might have a problem
with partially pinched rubber flex lines. I know of one aircraft that
had a small flap of rubber that was partially obstructing a fuel line
from an improperly-installed fitting.)
2. Jack up your plane and meticulously level it.
3. Disconnect the fuel line from the header tank at the fuel pump
inlet and let it drain into a large catch drum at a 1L/min rate
(equivalent to normal cruise fuel consumption).
4. Periodically tap/bang on the header tank to ensure that the
flapper valves do not stick closed.
5. After some period of time determine the actual fuel imbalance.
This will give you good data about your particular aircraft independent
of your own flying habits/characteristics.
And I wish everyone on the list a pleasant weekend of flying.
--
Brian Lloyd, WB6RQN/J79BPL
3191 Western Dr.
Cameron Park, CA 95682
brian@lloyd.com
+1.767.617.1365 (Dominica)
+1.916.877.5067 (USA)
Message 2
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| Subject: | Re: observations on fuel imbalance discussion |
Mark,
ROFLMAO
Doc
Sent from my iPad
On Feb 19, 2012, at 2:28 PM, "Bitterlich, Mark G CIV Det Cherry Point, MALS-14
64E" <mark.bitterlich@navy.mil> wrote:
>
> I own a UTVA-66 as well as a YAK-50. Obviously the "slipping method"
> does not work on the 50.
>
> However, on the UTVA-66, I can make the fuel gages in either wing read
> whatever I want by slipping the aircraft. I can go from empty to half
> full on either tank simply by stepping on the rudder. Since there is no
> easy way for huge amounts of fuel to change tanks in 5 seconds, it is
> likely that I am only impacting the readings of the fuel gage.
>
> That said, I have learned a very simple way to determine fuel flow, and
> the amount left in the tank.
>
> When it becomes very very quiet, the selected tank has no more fuel in
> it.
>
> Works for me.
>
> Mark Bitterlich
>
> p.s. Yes, I know CJ's and 52's don't have selectable tanks. Sigh .....
>
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-yak-list-server@matronics.com
> [mailto:owner-yak-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Brian Lloyd
> Sent: Friday, February 17, 2012 5:42 PM
> To: yak-list@matronics.com
> Subject: Yak-List: observations on fuel imbalance discussion
>
> Ah, how we love to take sides. :-)
>
> So, while you are busy deciding who is right and who is wrong, please
> consider:
>
> 1. Whether or not we like the person making the posting has no
> effect on the reality of the situation.
> 2. Given the number of variables and unless you have a
> very-well-controlled environment in which you are collecting data,
> in-flight anecdotal "evidence" is always suspect.
> 3. That being said, there are quite a few CJ6A and Yak-52 aircraft
> that respond well to slipping the aircraft slightly in order to favor
> fuel flow from one tank or the other to even out flow, thus implying
> that there is no endemic problem with either the fuel system or vent
> system design. (My own experience is that 100% of the CJ6A and Yak-52
> aircraft that I have flown have responded to this means of evening fuel
> flow from the tanks but I refer you to item #2 above.)
> 4. Only a rigidly-controlled test is going to determine if a
> particular aircraft has an asymmetric fuel-flow problem.
>
> So, if you think you have a problem I recommend the following:
>
> 1. Inspect your fuel and vent system, replacing old rubber hose and
> cleaning all hard lines. (I suspect some people might have a problem
> with partially pinched rubber flex lines. I know of one aircraft that
> had a small flap of rubber that was partially obstructing a fuel line
> from an improperly-installed fitting.)
> 2. Jack up your plane and meticulously level it.
> 3. Disconnect the fuel line from the header tank at the fuel pump
> inlet and let it drain into a large catch drum at a 1L/min rate
> (equivalent to normal cruise fuel consumption).
> 4. Periodically tap/bang on the header tank to ensure that the
> flapper valves do not stick closed.
> 5. After some period of time determine the actual fuel imbalance.
>
> This will give you good data about your particular aircraft independent
> of your own flying habits/characteristics.
>
> And I wish everyone on the list a pleasant weekend of flying.
>
> --
> Brian Lloyd, WB6RQN/J79BPL
> 3191 Western Dr.
> Cameron Park, CA 95682
> brian@lloyd.com
> +1.767.617.1365 (Dominica)
> +1.916.877.5067 (USA)
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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