Message-ID: <3908C367.3E831B87@mc.net>
Date: Thu, 27 Apr 2000 17:47:03 -0500
From: jerry@mc.net
To: "lancair.list" <lancair.list@olsusa.com>
Subject: Re: header tanks
Mime-Version: 1.0

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It seems the attention given to managing the header tank fuel level simply
gets in the way
of flying safely.  The final 10-15 minutes before landing should be focused
on managing the
flight path of our aircraft.  Diluting this focus can be too much for a one
pilot operation
especially if there are irregularities to cope with and marginal weather. 
Even the pros of
the airline cockpits have demonstrated two/three crew members, focused on
too many
attention grabbers, can get burned.  Tony Bingelis got it right when he said
the best fuel
system is the one where the pilot is not involved and so it is with many
fighter jets.  "Kick
the tires, light the fires and the first one to the runway leads", is the
humored statement of
many fighter jocks.  I just seems to me,  a fuel system allowing that kind
of freedom of
operation can be created without a lot of high tech stuff. 

I offer up the following fuel system description as food for thought only. 
Pick it apart as you
wish.  We all know, from every builder there is a fuel system design
created.  I feel it is high
time we pool our experiences and come up with system ideas which will limit
fuel
management focus and promote safe flight.  What do you experienced general
aviators,
and everyone else, say about this idea? 
  

     A slosh box with fuel gates built into each wing root 

     Tie both boxes together with 3/8" cross piping 

     Feed fuel with a separate 3/8" line, from the right hand slosh box , to
the gascolator 
     (at the lowest point under console), to a 3/8" On/Off ball valve on the
center console,
     to an in line filter, to an electric boost pump, to the engine pump 

There are new technology fuel sensors and indicators which could be
installed into the
system to trigger low fuel states and report fuel levels as individual
builders prefer.  A Facet
pump could be installed in the left wheel well to transfer left hand slosh
box fuel to right side slosh
box, thereby acting as a fuel leveler and insuring the right hand slosh box
is full during
maneuvering and landing. 

This is a very simple, bare bones system waiting to be improved but not
complicated with
high tech whistle blowing timers and such.  So, improve it or shoot it down,
as you wish. 
Tells us all what's wrong with it, what's right with it. 

Jerry Grimmonpre'   LNC2    McHenry, IL   A non-general aviation, aviator
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Please send your photos and drawings to marvkaye@olsusa.com.
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