Fun weekend buying an Arrow (long)

In article .com, Tony wrote:
have been in the owner's manual that said something like "switch to
most full fuel tank" before takeoff, and after run-up. That's the worst
possible time to change tanks.

Ack. Have to agree with you, but I think you misread the instructions.
I start and taxi on one tank, then run up on the other with takeoff on
the same tank as the runup. That way, you know you have good fuel in
both tanks.


Morris

In article .com, Tony wrote:

have been in the owner's manual that said something like "switch to
most full fuel tank" before takeoff, and after run-up. That's the worst
possible time to change tanks.

How long would the engine run if you selected an empty tank? My 182
doesn't even go 30 seconds at idle after I turn the gas off.

One well known aviation university teaches you to "fly out on the tank
you flew in on". The theory being that takeoff is not the time to "test"
whether a tank you just switched to is blocked, the fuel valve
malfunctioned, a tank is empty (cuz you forgot to check it), a tank you
just switched to is full of water, etc.

If you switch just prior to takeoff or just prior to runup, you have
about 1 or 2 minutes of flight until the carb bowl and gascolator
empties in a small Piper. Then, you get an empty fuel line or whatever
was in the other tank. Usually, you are not in a very good position to
deal with no fuel or contaminated fuel at the end of that short time period.

Opinions on this one vary. I leave the valve where it is and switch
after burning off about 5 gallons (climb to 2500' plus 10 minutes of
cruise).

Good Luck,
Mike

Journeyman wrote:

In article .com, Tony wrote:

have been in the owner's manual that said something like "switch to
most full fuel tank" before takeoff, and after run-up. That's the worst
possible time to change tanks.


Ack. Have to agree with you, but I think you misread the instructions.
I start and taxi on one tank, then run up on the other with takeoff on
the same tank as the runup. That way, you know you have good fuel in
both tanks.


Morris

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"Mike Spera" wrote in message ...
Opinions on this one vary. I leave the valve where it is and switch
after burning off about 5 gallons (climb to 2500' plus 10 minutes of
cruise).

For my first tank switch, I like to be over something that I wouldn't mind
landing on or at a high enough altitude that having the engine stop would
not be too exciting of an experience... Subsequent switches, I'm not as
paranoid about...

Grumman-581 wrote:
"Mike Spera" wrote in message ...
Opinions on this one vary. I leave the valve where it is and switch
after burning off about 5 gallons (climb to 2500' plus 10 minutes of
cruise).

For my first tank switch, I like to be over something that I wouldn't mind
landing on or at a high enough altitude that having the engine stop would
not be too exciting of an experience... Subsequent switches, I'm not as
paranoid about...


I took off from Marsh Harbour once in a Cherokee Six with the fuel selector on
the tank that I'd arrived on. About two minutes later I was gliding back down
waiting for the fuel tank I should have been on in the first place to start
supplying fuel to the engine. Stupid.

The Cherokee Six had four fuel tanks and lots of opportunities to run tanks dry.
I take off on the fullest tank now, no matter which one I arrived on. As for
where I switch tanks, it's more when than where. I don't particularly care
where I am as long as I have sky under me. Cherokees aren't known for their
superior glide characteristics.... or quick restarts.

C-210s... now they restart quick! They all should do as well.



--
Mortimer Schnerd, RN

VE

On Thu, 14 Apr 2005 12:14:17 GMT, "Grumman-581"
wrote:

"Mike Spera" wrote in message ...
Opinions on this one vary. I leave the valve where it is and switch
after burning off about 5 gallons (climb to 2500' plus 10 minutes of
cruise).

For my first tank switch, I like to be over something that I wouldn't mind
landing on or at a high enough altitude that having the engine stop would
not be too exciting of an experience... Subsequent switches, I'm not as
paranoid about...


I takeoff on the tank I did the runup on.

Mike Spera wrote:
One well known aviation university teaches you to "fly out on the tank
you flew in on".

I take off on "both." If either one works, I have gas.

George Patterson
There's plenty of room for all of God's creatures. Right next to the
mashed potatoes.

"George Patterson" wrote in message
news:beF7e.5519$4v3.1682@trndny03...
Mike Spera wrote:
One well known aviation university teaches you to "fly out on the tank
you flew in on".

I take off on "both." If either one works, I have gas.

George Patterson
There's plenty of room for all of God's creatures. Right next to the
mashed potatoes.

Some of us don't have that option.

George Patterson wrote:
Mike Spera wrote:
One well known aviation university teaches you to "fly out on the tank
you flew in on".

I take off on "both." If either one works, I have gas.


PA-32s and C-402s lack that ability, among many others. In fact, on the C-402
if you chose to take off on the aux tanks first, you just blew fuel overboard.
You had to create room in the mains for the fuel. The mains fed the engines.
The aux fed the mains. Therefore you take off on the mains and fly for an hour.
THEN you switch to the aux and fly for another 35 minutes or so, then switch
back to the mains for the rest of the flight.

Both? Must be talking about Cessna.



--
Mortimer Schnerd, RN

VE

Mortimer Schnerd, RN wrote:

Both? Must be talking about Cessna.

Maule.

George Patterson
There's plenty of room for all of God's creatures. Right next to the
mashed potatoes.