Mon, Feb 20, 2006
Aero-Tips!
A good pilot is always learning -- how many times have you heard
this old standard throughout your flying career? There is no truer
statement in all of flying (well, with the possible exception of
"there are no old, bold pilots.") It's part of what makes aviation
so exciting for all of us... just when you think you've seen it
all, along comes a scenario you've never imagined.
Aero-News has called upon the expertise of Thomas P. Turner,
master CFI and all-around-good-guy, to bring our readers -- and us
-- daily tips to improve our skills as aviators, and as
representatives of the flying community. Some of them, you may have
heard before... but for each of us, there will also be something we
might never have considered before, or something that didn't
"stick" the way it should have the first time we memorized it for
the practical test.
It is our unabashed goal that "Aero-Tips" will help our readers
become better, safer pilots -- as well as introducing our
ground-bound readers to the concepts and principles that keep those
strange aluminum-and-composite contraptions in the air... and allow
them to soar magnificently through it.
Look for our daily Aero-Tips segments, coming each day to you
through the Aero-News Network. Suggestions for future Aero-Tips are
always welcome, as are additions or discussion of each day's tips.
Remember... when it comes to being good pilots, we're all in this
together.
Aero-Tips 02.20.06
Your airplane’s engine drones smoothly—and then it
quits. One of the most common causes of in-flight engine failure is
fuel contamination. And the most common contaminant is water.
From the FAA
- Water may remain in fuel tanks after fuel strainers cease to
show any trace of water. Residual water can be removed only by
draining the fuel tank sump drains.
- Identify suspended water in fuel by a cloudy appearance of
fuel, or separation of water from colored fuel after water has
settled to the bottom of the tank. For safety drain all fuel sumps
every preflight.
- Fill fuel tanks after the last flight of the day. This inhibits
condensation since no air space is left exposed.
- Each additional day adds to condensation within the tanks.
And some Aero-Tips for
preflighting your fuel tanks:
- Rock the wings before sampling fuel. Water may get trapped
behind bends in “wet” wings, or folds in rubber fuel
bladders. Rocking the wings can dislodge trapped water, permitting
it to settle into sumps.
- Allow time for water to settle. One of my Aviation Safety
professors demonstrated that water takes up to 15 minutes to
precipitate out of one inch of aviation gasoline. Best results come
from fueling right after landing, rocking the wings to dislodge
trapped fuel, then waiting until just before takeoff to drain the
sumps.
- Hold fuel samples against the airplane when checking fuel
color. Blue- or even grey-sky background makes clear water look
like blue-tinted fuel.
- Check fuel caps and ports for leaky seals or O-rings that can
admit water. Replace cracked O-rings (or report them to the
airplane’s owners).
Aero-tip of the day: Never skimp on draining
all fuel sumps, after doing all you can to permit water to make it
to the drains.
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