----- Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, February 23, 2005 11:34
PM
Subject: [FlyRotary] Re: Vapor Lock
CUT
If you're almost home and have "Both" selected, and
one tank runs dry, what do you end up with in the fuel line? I believe
mostly air. Late in the trip (traffic pattern?) where trouble shooting
time is at a premium. Use L or R. Not B.
Answer: I have a long range canard aircraft
with a 70 gallon fuel capacity. I have NEVER landed with less than 1/4
tanks, (usually have 1/2 tanks upon landing) and plan to continue this
practice. My LongEZ was also a long distance aircraft with plenty of fuel
capacity. NEVER landed with tanks less than 1/4 full. My canard is
capable of 9 or 10 hours of flight. My bladder isn't. No John
Denver scenario for me. Fuel management has always been high priority
for me. I don't like arriving somewhere and having to shoot another missed
approach low on fuel. Nope. No thanks.
and balance fuel consumption
automatically,
It does NOT balance. One tank nearly always
transfers faster than the other.
Answer: My LongEZ was very similar, Main strake tanks, fuel
selector L R and Both. I used Both 90 % of the time. I have been using
Both on this canard as well (I only have 9.5 hours), but so far, fuel
consumption HAS been equal. (Or at least no difference that I can visually
measure).
CUT
----- Original Message -----
Sent:
Wednesday, February 23, 2005 1:12 PM
Subject:
[FlyRotary] Re: Vapor Lock
Paul, one last thought on the vapor lock thing. Very glad
you have found that it was the problem. There is nothing worse than
not knowing.
It is quite possible that changing EITHER of the two variables
(in-line Facet or vent on the header/sump tank) will make the system
work. Just because you remove one and it works does not
mean you have found the root cause. Earlier I used the "strikes"
analogy, and we don't know how many of these it takes to make an
"out".
From your background I'm sure you know that it is frequently a
combination of things that can cause a failure. Removing one of them
may 'fix' the problem now but add in other variables like fuel vapor
pressure, altitude, etc, and the problem could come
back. The goal is to make the system as tolerant of all
factors as possible. Happily, this frequently means making it simple
too!
One other thought on simplicity. I have never landed without
power (in my rotary powered plane) but I have come close several times in
the early days. The only thing that prevented it was having a fairly
simple system and knowing it very well. This helped diagnose the
problem and fix or compensate for it before running out of altitude and
ideas.
Tracy
No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG
Anti-Virus.
Version: 7.0.300 / Virus Database: 266.4.0 - Release Date:
2/22/2005
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.
Version: 7.0.300 / Virus Database: 266.4.0 - Release Date: 2/22/2005
Homepage: http://www.flyrotary.com/
Archive: http://lancaironline.net/lists/flyrotary/List.html
>> Homepage: http://www.flyrotary.com/
>> Archive: http://lancaironline.net/lists/flyrotary/List.html
No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.
Version: 7.0.300 / Virus Database: 266.4.0 - Release Date: 2/22/2005