Re: REFLECTOR: Fuel system safety

[Larry Kline <lkline@lisco.com>]

The FAA sometimes won't give you the paperwork to get off the ground unless you
have a fuel shut off.

> Not that I like raising tough and uncomfortable questions; but something to
> consider:
>
> This fuel shutoff/no fuel shutoff debate still bothers me.  On certified
> airplanes emergency check list for a forced landing is always "turn off main
> fuel supply"; hopefull to reduce the likelyhood of a serious fire.  One of
> the major causes of serious injury or death after a crash is fire.  Is our
> rear engine composite fundamentally different in its fire hazard?
>
> A shutoff valve between sump tank and engine would reduce the risks of
> sustained fire aft of the engine bulkhead.  But, of course, we have fuel
> lines and a fuel tank inside our cabin.  What precautions can/should we take
> to reduce hazard of a fuel fed fire after a crash?  Should we use only
> metalic fireproof lines?  Does firesleeve over any flexible neoprene line
> help the situation.  Does a shutoff valve at the exit from each main tank
> make any sense?  How do we fireproof the sump tank?
>
> It seems like some creative thought to these questions might have some merit
> in risk reduction.  Perhaps others who have thought this through can shed
> some light.
>
> Thanks
>
> Al Gietzen