Message-Id: <3.0.6.16.19991117111711.1f7f5ffc@pop.mindspring.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Nov 1999 11:17:11
To: lancair.list@olsusa.com
From: "Dan O'Brien" <danobrien@mindspring.com>
Subject: Extended fuel tanks for the ES
Mime-Version: 1.0

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Thanks Jim and Dan for your observations.  I still wonder, though, if it is
really such a no-brainer to put in the extended tanks.  On the down side,
installing the long range tanks involves some additional work, increases
the scope for fuel leaks some, and forces one to drain fuel (a pain) in
some cases if the tanks are normally kept full to avoid condensation.  On
the up side, 90 gallons rather than 78 gives you just over 6 hours in the
air rather than just over 5 hours, assuming an average of 12 gallons per
hour, a 45 minute reserve, and subtracting 8 gallons for ground run and
unusable fuel (I'm not sure what should be subtracted here, but let's just
say 8 gallons, which seems highly conservative).  

I've never been in a light plane for 5 hours in one stretch and don't
envision wanting to do so very often.  On the other hand, I can imagine
running up against max gross when my kids are a bit older and have toys
heavier than Pokemon cards.  So like Jim, I'm asking myself whether I
really want the additional range.  

I'd welcome any additional thoughts before I launch into my fuel system.  

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