Hi! Frans/all
As a novice I agree with your suggestion on the "check valve" in the
return line and your impact theory for rubber pipes but the latter item
would be marginal either way IMHO. The main thing is to apply the
maximum delay of fuel spreading to the likely fire source at the front
or under you and an element of chance would apply to either type of
pipe. This is what has prompted me/many to replace the glass filters
under the seat for Andair in the fuselage away from the pilot and /or
have a different sight gauge to one encircling the pilot.
All such things have to be weight considered otherwise an automatic
extinguisher system with heavy tankage to supply but I'm sure you don't
need me to remark on that.
Regards
Bob Harrison G-PTAG
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Frans
Veldman
Sent: 03 September 2008 16:52
Subject: Re: Europa-List: Jos Okhuisen
<frans@paardnatuurlijk.nl>
Hi Jos and all,
> Hi Frans and all, The silence is the normal waiting for the
> investigation to come to a conclusion.
Ok, I understand that. It is just that a few days ago you wrote that you
were going to post more detailed information the next day, but I never
saw it, so I wondered what happened. Glad that you are still ok.
> Now a thick branch wiped the right side of the cockpit off, breaking
> the fuel return alu tube.
Ok, two toughts about that:
1) The fuel return line is obviously a risk, as it can not be closed
with the fuel valve, and once broken it allows the tank to drain
completely. I just realised that this risk can be minimised by putting a
check-valve (one way valve) in the return line. So fuel can go TO the
tank, but never FROM the tank. Has anyone ever considered this? I think
I'm going to put this into my fuel system, unless someone can tell me
why it is not a good idea to do so.
2) I have seen that many builders do away with the rubber hoses and use
aluminium. Maybe the risk is higher with aluminium, since these tubes
breaks easily, whereas rubber hoses just give way to impacts.
Frans
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