How does fuel (safely) get from the tank to the engine?

It would seem logical to just draw gas from the lowest point of the
tank into a fuel line leading to the engine. But contrary to a car, an
airplane can experience negative gs, and especially in aerobatics, for
prolonged periods of time. So a pump connected to the lowest point of
the tank would only draw fumes at some point. How is this problem
solved?

Thanks (again) for enlightening me,
Oliver

On Nov 25, 9:23*am, Oliver Arend wrote:
an airplane can experience negative gs...

During which times the engines of most airplanes just sputter.
Aerobatic airplanes usually have at least one tank with the fuel
pickup on a flexible hose that follows the fuel. That's usually called
a "flop tube."

Thanks, Bob K.

"Bob Kuykendall" wrote in message
...
On Nov 25, 9:23 am, Oliver Arend wrote:
an airplane can experience negative gs...

During which times the engines of most airplanes just sputter.
Aerobatic airplanes usually have at least one tank with the fuel
pickup on a flexible hose that follows the fuel. That's usually called
a "flop tube."

Thanks, Bob K.

Do any of the experimental aircraft designs use just a simple hose with a
weight that follows the fuel. It's very successful in modeling. You just
stick a weighted fitting on the end of the hose called a "clunk".

On Nov 25, 2:53*pm, "Maxwell" #$$9#@%%%.^^^ wrote:

Do any of the experimental aircraft designs use just a simple hose with a
weight that follows the fuel...

Yes. It's called a "flop tube."

Thanks, Bob K.

On Tue, 25 Nov 2008 15:11:12 -0800 (PST), Bob Kuykendall
wrote:

On Nov 25, 2:53*pm, "Maxwell" #$$9#@%%%.^^^ wrote:

Do any of the experimental aircraft designs use just a simple hose with a
weight that follows the fuel...

Yes. It's called a "flop tube."

Thanks, Bob K.

They are getting a little pricey lately, around $55 at Aircraft Spruce

"Bob Kuykendall" wrote in message
...
On Nov 25, 2:53 pm, "Maxwell" #$$9#@%%%.^^^ wrote:

Do any of the experimental aircraft designs use just a simple hose with a
weight that follows the fuel...

Yes. It's called a "flop tube."

Thanks, Bob K.

Duh? I misread your post.

Although you described it as a hose, when you called it a flop "tube", I
pictured a mechanical tube or arm.

On Tue, 25 Nov 2008 20:24:38 -0600, "Maxwell" #$$9#@%%%.^^^ wrote:


"Bob Kuykendall" wrote in message
...
On Nov 25, 2:53 pm, "Maxwell" #$$9#@%%%.^^^ wrote:

Do any of the experimental aircraft designs use just a simple hose with a
weight that follows the fuel...

Yes. It's called a "flop tube."

Thanks, Bob K.

Duh? I misread your post.

Although you described it as a hose, when you called it a flop "tube", I
pictured a mechanical tube or arm.




In aircraft use, generally it IS a tube, not a hose.