From: "Ed McCauley" <ed.mccauley@bltinc.com>
To: <lancair.list@olsusa.com>
Subject: IV - Fuel configuration
Date: Fri, 23 Mar 2001 08:01:13 -0500
Message-ID: <IJEBKCKHOIKAOAHEEGPKCEBACMAA.ed.mccauley@bltinc.com>
Importance: Normal
Reply-To: lancair.list@olsusa.com
Mime-Version: 1.0

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Hi all,

I'm approaching the final decision point regarding my wing fuel
configuration on my IV-P (Note: I'll be installing the winglets).  Within
the limits of reason and safety, I'd like to get as much as possible in the
wings.

I have two questions:
1. The wing is so narrow at its outboard ends.  Have any of you experienced
difficulty in fueling?  I plan to install a 'bash plate' to protect the
lower wing from, shall we say, overly aggressive insertion BUT with such a
limited depth of insertion, does the nozzle tend to kick off or have the
fuel spray reflect off the inner/lower skin?  (I tried my best to limit the
innuendo here!)
2. The manual says that the installation of an additional rib at BL165 is
the only supported extension of fuel towards the wingtip.  I'd like to go
all the way to BL171 though.  Do any of you see problems with this?

FYI, I've identified and can live with two issues that effect question #2:
a. Because they're a bit too short, I know there'll be an issues with the
capacitive fuel probes (I have the extended  ones) indicating empty when I
still have gas in the inboard bays.
b. The issue of locating the pitot tube is one that I'll need to deal with.

and FYI:
I. I'm making the leading edge dry and running my electrics through the
space.  Here I'm losing a bit of fuel but, I feel, getting a better, safer,
more robust and reliable end result.
II. I'm also planning on using the bays that the aileron goes through for
gas.  I'll be installing an eglass tube for the pushrod to pass through.
Using this approach, my only dry bay will be the one containing the aileron
bell crank and speed break.

So, any words of wisdom from the learned ones?

Ed McCauley
Milford, NJ
Lancair IV-P -23.493 +/- 30% Complete


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