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IMHO I would not try to extend the tanks outboard of the
aileron bell crank area, given the fact that the skins are on and sealed, unless
you are prepared to also access thje inboard side of the inboard aileron
compartment bulkhead in order to seal it.
The part of the process that concerns me is the fact that you
will also have to cut the bulkhead on the inboard side of the bell crank
compartment to allow you to fit the "flow channels. You can only seal the
outboard side of the bulkhead. This would mean that you would have gas
migrating down through the honeycomb core on the inboard side of the
bulkhead. Where it would end up and when it would arrive there is a matter
of conjecture but I would bet that migrate it will. If you cut open the
wing skin on the inboard side and seal the hole for the "flow channels"
then that would be fine.
I have tank extensions but I built them in before fitting the
bottom skin. I would make the bottom flow channel as large as you
conveniently can. I have the Lancair recommended installation and the gas
is a liitle slow to flow into the inboard section of the tank. The vent
portion at the top of the tank I believe, is large enough to vent the gas whilst
filling the tank and more than large enough for normal operations.
You already have an Al tube running through the tank and into
the aileron bell crank area. Obviously Lancair do not worry about flexing.
They also recommend an Al tube for the vent portion of the extended tank so
again I do not see why you could not use tube for the bottom
channel.
I can see no reason for "flapper valves" in that area.
In fact I would not recommend them as all they would be is a possible
restriction to the natural flow of the fuel into the main portion of the
tank. If you fit slosh doors at the most inboard end of the main portion
of the tank, when the tank is first built then these are invaluable to help stop
the fuel from unporting when the tank is low. I fitted slosh
doors.
Hope this helps
Ian Crowe
C-FKRO LNC2 (10 plus hours and
counting)
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