<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<--->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
         <<  Lancair Builders' Mail List  >>
         <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<--->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Why the obsession with header tanks among lancair
pilots/builders.  I've heard the old saw about gavity
being more dependable then fuel pumps.  The truth is
any fuel system that requires attention every 20 to 30
minutes or the engine will die of fuel starvation is
an accident looking for a place to happen.  A proper fuel system should draw direct from the main
tanks and if the pump fails you should then be able to
switch to the header.  If your pump fails and the header is nearly empty (2-3
gals.  You only have enough fuel to choose place to
arrive at (remember lancairs don't do off field
landings well without power.  I don't think they do
off field landings well with power but thats only
imhu.

I could be wrong but I think the practice of flying on
the header tank fuel then reloading it from the main
is somewhat like playing Russian Roulette.  I realize the original plans call for this design but
the original plane (Lancair 100/200) engine had no
engine fuel pump.

Thanks for the listen.

LML website:   http://www.olsusa.com/Users/Mkaye/maillist.html
Builders' Bookstore:   http://www.buildersbooks.com/lancair

Please send your photos and drawings to marvkaye@olsusa.com.