REFLECTOR: Understanding limitations: Fuel

[Terry Miles]

Keith,
Thanks.  I have the FAR numbers for fuel.  I hope I have about as much
common sense as the next guy.  I too should have been more precise.  My
question really intended to address itself to what you or other Velo
operators have come to use (or intend to use) as "be on the ground" fuel
remaining figure very specific to this airplane.  Not to pilot rules or POH
limitations.  I should have left that out.  

When you shine flashlight into a big flat strake with only a couple of
gallons remaining it causes me to question what of the physics of tank
baffling and maneuvering flight add to the dynamics of a low fuel state.  

In the very back corner of my strakes, at Malcolm Collier's suggestion, we
ran another fuel out line out to the sump.  I would presume all the fuel is
capable of draining into the sump tank when in level unaccelerated flight,
put what about maneuvering in a RH holding pattern with 3/4 inch of fuel,
and having the right wing outlets being uncovered?   

I thought I'd raise the issue just to see what others have bumped up against
this either in theory or in practice.  It wasn't meant to be directed at you
or your post specifically.

Don't take this to mean I intend to construct some rigid set of numbers.
Take it to mean I have an interest in the Velo fuel system, and I believe a
comprehensive understanding of our particular set up and what to expect of
it is better method than tankering fuel to compensate for the unexamined.  I
know you didn't intend that.  I'll muddle along.   

The sump in the RG is about half that of the FG as I recall.

Terry 
Back in flight test (with a new improved gear warning!)
 

-----Original Message-----
From: reflector-bounces at tvbf.org [mailto:reflector-bounces at tvbf.org] On
Behalf Of Keith Hallsten
Sent: Sunday, June 01, 2008 10:51 PM
To: 'Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list'
Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: fuel tank placards

Terry,

Naturally you cannot include in your flight planning any strake capacity
that won't actually drain to the sump.  That is physically "unusable".  

The question of how much "usable" fuel you want to have on board at landing
at a minimum is a separate question, and is spoken to by both the FARs and
common sense.  Velocity aircraft generally have enough fuel capacity that it
isn't too hard to plan to have a reasonable and comfortable reserve.

In my original post I should more precisely have said, ". . . only consider
the USABLE capacity of the strake tanks in the capacity labeling".

Keith


-----Original Message-----
From: reflector-bounces at tvbf.org [mailto:reflector-bounces at tvbf.org] On
Behalf Of Terry Miles
Sent: Sunday, June 01, 2008 6:25 PM
To: 'Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list'
Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: fuel tank placards

Keith,
For POH reasons and with the assumption that real life xc fuel planning
follows what you put in the POH.  Are you considering that all the fuel in
the main tanks is usable?  I am inclined to say I am at dry tanks with 5
gals in each wing, but I be happy to see what others use for "usuable"  or
said another way what is the min fuel you want to see on landing at your
alternate.
Thanks for the input,
Terry


-----Original Message-----
From: reflector-bounces at tvbf.org [mailto:reflector-bounces at tvbf.org] On
Behalf Of Keith Hallsten
Sent: Sunday, June 01, 2008 6:47 PM
To: 'Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list'
Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: fuel tank placards

Doug,

It's your call, but I would consider all of the sump to be either "unusable"
or "emergency reserve" and only consider the capacity of the strake tanks in
the capacity labeling.

Keith Hallsten


-----Original Message-----
From: reflector-bounces at tvbf.org [mailto:reflector-bounces at tvbf.org] On
Behalf Of doug.holub at tx.rr.com
Sent: Sunday, June 01, 2008 2:30 PM
To: reflector at tvbf.org
Subject: REFLECTOR: fuel tank placards, Torx head screws

My left and right fuel tanks hold 25.5 gallons each. My sump holds 5
gallons, but 2 gallons at the bottom of the sump are not reachable. Do I
placard my fuel tanks for 25.5 gallons plus half of the usable sump? Or half
of the whole sump? Or just the tanks?

I saw an ad in one of the magazines a few months ago for Torx head stainless
steel 100 degree flat head screws. I bought some and they work just great.
I've been taking the cowl off and on a lot the past few months, and they
never strip out. I've got a Torx head for a small electric screwdriver. 

www.microfaseners.com

They don't call them Torx, they call them "6 Lobe Drive". You'll find them
under "Socket Screws".

Doug Holub, sprinting to the finish line

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