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Yes there are potential issues with the standard Lancair Propjet fuel system. First is the fuel in the belly in the event of a gear up landing though I have not heard of this ever having created a true problem. Second which as far as I know HAS been an issue is refueling after burning fuel in the belly tank. The wings feed the belly tank which feeds the engine. Refueling occurs only in the wings. If the belly tank is say half full and the wings are topped off it takes some time for the belly to refill which will drain the wings. I have heard the fuel draining into the belly tank through the fuel lines. This can give a false sense of full fuel. If you takeoff before the belly is full ie still with air in the belly a high climb angle can unport the engine causing flameout. I believe that there can be other scenarios such as uncoordinated flight which may force air into the belly tank but paying attention to the center(belly) tank fuel gauge should alert the pilot to this issue. IMHO as long as these issues are recognized the standard fuel system is simple and works fine. Left, right, or both-that's it. There have been modifications to the Propjet fuel system with a small header tank which in theory cannot be unported but as far as I know this involves having to actively transfer fuel between tanks which IMHO may create other issues. For me, I know my system and it works fine. If someone is interested in changing their fuel system, talk to John Cook. David On Jun 8, 2013, at 12:58 PM, "Craig Jimenez" <cj@AwlBiz.com> wrote:
or change the fuel system all together which has
been advocated by some but that opens a whole new conversation thread.
What's considered state of the art fuel system plumbing to avoid unporting
the belly tank (to include avoiding a complex or time-consuming fueling
process after you've started to use the belly fuel)? I've heard some have
"updated" their configuration in recent years.
I've heard of one propjet that has left, right, or both wing tanks feeding
the belly tank, which then feeds a header tank that is designed to
eliminate any air.
Craig
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