REFLECTOR: Gascolator requirements in Canada

[Fred Anderka]

Hi Bob:

Get another opinion from the MD-RA guys in London about the Gascolator location.  Having the Gascolator sticking out of the cowling is downright dangerous.  A wheels up landing could turn an embarrassing (and expensive) event into a flaming disaster when the Gascolator bowl gets ground off.  Somebody must have some common sense somewhere.  The fuel level in the sump tank is approximately 12" above the Gascolator and you will never be sucking air unless you are out of fuel, at that point things will get very quiet in about 2 seconds.  Your fuel flow test (MDRA C 14 Fuel Flow Report) will also verify that there is sufficient flow with the Gascolator in that position.

You may also ask why certified aircraft can mount their Gascolator considerably above the lowest point of the fuel system, don't the same basic rules apply?

Fred
XL-RG (620 hrs.)



On Sep 10, 2012, at 7:59 AM, Bob Huntingford <bhunting at telusplanet.net> wrote:

> I have tried to reason with them but their response is it must be an approved gascolator and the sump is not. I am going to mount one as the fuel line comes through the firewall and hope that is low enough     to please the inspector. It is unfortunate that I have to put another hole in the bottom of the cowl and remember to test the fuel at the sump and drain the gascolator once in a while. I will just add it to the checklist.
> 
> Bob