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In a message dated 11/14/2001 11:02:43 PM Pacific Standard Time, lancair.list@olsusa.com writes:

<< As the owner of a L235 using the Pillar Point System, I don't understand why
you want to use a selector valve on the wing to header tank fuel transfer
system. >>

I believe the intent here is to allow all of the fuel to be pumped from the wings to the header tank even if one Facet pump fails.  The suggested approach was to have two Facet pumps in series drawing from whichever tank was selected.  I think a better approach is to have a crossfeed valve between the tanks, upstream of the Facet  pumps.  The crossfeed valve is normally closed, and the left pump draws from the left tank, and so on for the right pump.  If the left pump fails, the valve is opened, and the right pump can draw from the left tank (and vice versa, of course).

I will say that I'm not doing this.  If one of my Facet pumps craps out I'll have to land with fuel in one wing.  However, I'll still have the other wing fuel and what's left in the header to get to an airport, whereupon I will refuel and contemplate the foolhardiness of launching with a failed Facet pump....

- Rob Wolf

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