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 AC 20-53A, Protection of Airplane Fuel Systems Against Fuel Vapor Ignition
Due to Lightning, recommends putting fuel vents as far as possible from high
risk lightning strike areas.

Wing tips and especially winglets are in the highest risk category.  One
knowledgeable person described winglets to me as lightning rods.

I am installing the fuel vents in my winglets in the bottom skin as close as
possible to the inboard edge.  Had I read AC20-53A in time, I would have put
them in the wings between BL 165 and BL 171.  The tube from the vent line
will be run up into the winglet and back to the vent to solve the overflow
problem.  I have installed the 3/8" vent lines.

For the record, I do not fly intentionally through thunder storms, but
lightning is unpredictable, and there has been a strike on a IV.

By the way, if my convertible is any indication, there is a real risk with
the vents on the outboard face of the winglet of an unfortunate combination
of wind direction, speed and rain filling your tanks with water.

John Herminghaus
IV-P          I-VVVV



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