REFLECTOR: Fuel shutoff valve location

[nmflyer1 at aol.com]

Seems like when you deviate from the plans, there is a whole new frontier of possible problems that opens up. My situation is like that. I have the 4.3L V-6 that is mechanically fuel injected. The 2 fuel pumps sit in the gear well (FG version) and are always below the wings & half of the sump. 



My fuel pumps are both electric and will not allow fuel to flow if they are off. I can run pump 1, pump 2 or both, but if I shut off the switches, the fuel stops. 



I opted not to have fuel shutoff valves because of this setup. It would be easier for maintenance if I had some from the wing to the sump, but that is easy enough to deal with. 



An item?I mentioned in the past I will restate here. A flight test engineer (and homebuilder of at least 11 of his own airplanes) told me this was ALWAYS on his list of before 1st flight: 



Rig the aircraft so that it is in a normal climb attitude, and SECURE IT WELL.? Then make sure the engine will run at climb power for 3 minutes without any problems before you fly it.? He said that this will find a multitude of things that you will not find doing level power run ups. 



Just another thing on the list... but it might save your hide. 



?Kurt 

-----Original Message-----
From: Brian Michalk <michalk at awpi.com>
To: Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list <reflector at tvbf.org>
Sent: Sun, Jul 19, 2009 4:33 pm
Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: Fuel shutoff valve location




I placed mine in the keel, where easy access was possible.  I had an
engine failure on the first flight.  I'm pretty sure it was a fuel
problem, and indications point to the pumps not having an adequate
supply of fuel, but tests afterwards indicate that I should have been
able to get them reprimed and pumping again.

Bottom line is, I'm not certain what caused my failure, but I am going
to relocate the shutoff valve next to the sump.

David Ullman wrote:
> Where have people put their fuel shutoff valve?  It seems stupid to put
> it where it can be reached.  Thus, I am currently planning on running
> the fuel line from the sump, up the center spine and putting the valve
> in a location I can reach and then running a line back around the sump
> and to the firewall fitting.  Thoughts??
> 
>  
> 
> David G. Ullman
> 
> ullman at robustdecisions.com <mailto:ullman at robustdecisions.com>
> 
> 541-754-3609
> 
> 
> 
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