----- Original Message -----
From: "Marvin Kaye" <marv@lancaironline.net>
To: "Rotary motors in aircraft" <flyrotary@lancaironline.net>
Sent: Tuesday, October 22, 2002 12:21 AM
Subject: [FlyRotary] Re: Flop Tube WAS RV Glider


> Posted for Jim Sower <canarder@starband.net>:
> I seem to be missing something.  What might be the purpose of a flop tube
be?
> Just wonderin' .... Jim S.
>
> Ed Anderson wrote:
>
> > Some of you may recall my episode where I could not use the last 3
gallons
> > or so of fuel from my right tank which has a flop tube installed.  I
> > concluded that the flop tube must have hung up on a lightening hole or
some
> > other obstruction which kept the end suspended approx 2 1/2" above the
> > bottom of the tank.
>

Hi Jim,

    The RV-6, which I have,  is an aerobatic aircraft.
    The flop tube is a flexible hose  approx 12" long that is designed to
"Flop" to the top of the tank when upside down.  The purpose is to continue
to feed fuel to the engine even though upside down where  fuel is now on the
top rather than bottom of the tank.  Since I don't even do areobatics I
don't know what posssessed me at the time to install it in one tank.  In any
case, its not even needed for "normal" aerobatics where positive G's are
maintained only when hanging upside down for extended periods -not my cup of
tea in any case. But, that is what is call a "flop" tube.

One end has the fuel pickup (the floppy end) and the other end screws on to
the bulkhead fitting in the inboard most wing tank rib with fuel line
running to the engine.  The flair nut that holds it on to the bulkhead
fitting had come lose.

Ed Anderson