NW_Pilot's Trans-Atlantic Flight -- All the scary details...

NW_Pilot wrote:
Oh! Yea I learned a bunch from this trip.... I did ask questions about the
fuel system prior to launch

I don't doubt it. But did you ask the right question? I don't think
so.

So what makes that question the right question, other than hindsight?
Well, as someone else mentioned, there are actually production
airplanes (the C-310 comes to mind immediately) where this is an issue.

"I have flown other tanked airplanes" and the
answer from them was the same that was written on paper when the aircraft
fuel system is completely disconnected "In the off position" the aircraft is
running only on the ferry tank system connected directly to the engine after
the aircraft fuel shut off valve.

This answer is clearly inadequate. It does not tell you where the
vapor return line goes.

Note that this identical system with the identical instructions would
have been totally fine on a plane with a carbureted engine, or with a
small Lycoming injected engine equipped with the Bendix/RSA fuel servo
(and this covers the vast majority of 172's - I'm curious what flavor
this one was) so it is entirely possible that the system has been used
successfully in many 172 crossings.

The sytem itself is fine, especially for something like a ferry flight
- the only problem is that someone dorked up the instructions. These
things happen. That's why you're being paid to do this.

Michael