----- Original Message ----
From: "Sky2high@aol.com" <Sky2high@aol.com>
To: lml@lancaironline.net
Sent: Monday, October 1, 2007 6:43:46 PM
Subject: [LML] Re: Gascolators
Charlie, et al,
One of the reasons that the Lancair 200/320/360 "header tank" fuel system can be considered "advanced" is because it has only 1 main fuel tank (header) that feeds the engine and 2 aux tanks to re-supply the main. This feature certainly allows one to easily meet many of the regulations that you referenced. My installation uses an old style gascolator (Cessna type) with the ability to activate the drain remotely - i.e. a cable pull available thru the oil filler access door. I like it because it allows for back flushing the filter in the gascolator each time engine oil level is checked.
The header sump drain is a little more difficult to get to as it is located in the nose wheel well and I have become girth challenged.
Just think, with one main tank there is no selector valve to put in the wrong position or commit a John Denver. Top-ups generally only fill the aux tanks so that the next takeoff is going to use the good fuel taken from the same tank as that used for the last successful landing. Ah, safety thru simplicity.
Of course, if the builder has provided a system to keep the header always full by simultaneously pumping from both aux tanks, lateral trim doesn't change at all during the entire flight.
Scott Krueger AKA Grayhawk
Lancair N92EX IO320 SB 89/96
Aurora, IL (KARR)
Darwinian culling phrase: Watch This!