How safe is it, really?

On Sun, 05 Dec 2004 18:28:38 +0100, Stefan
wrote in ::

Larry Dighera wrote:

I submit, that water in an aircraft fuel system has the potential for
disaster. To argue otherwise seems absurd.

Nobody argues otherwise.

Those who dismiss condensation as a source for water in an aircraft
fuel system have done so.

But claiming that condensation caused by
halfways empty tanks is a noteworthy source for that water is equally
absurd.

How much water does it take to clog an aircraft fuel line when it
freezes? Take a guess?

If there is water in your tanks, chances are you buyed it at
fuel price. Another important source is a leaking seal while the plane
is parked in the rain.

That is borne out by:
http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?e...08X08676&key=1

But you're correct in one way: If you always fill the tanks after each
flight, there won't be water in the tanks. No, not because there is no
condensation, but because you will have to drain a couple of gallons
before the each flight.

Unfortunately, just draining the tanks without making an effort to
position the aircraft so that water trapped in the folds of a rubber
fuel bladder is able to reach the sump will not remove it.

Water in an aircraft fuel system has the potential for disaster.