This provides a cross-check between the gauge reading and the actual quantity.Ī fuel selector valve is placed in the cockpit so that the pilot can select from which tank to feed the engine. ![]() It is important that the pilot always manually verifies the volume of fuel remaining in each tank by a visual inspection of the tanks before a flight. Each tank has a sensor or float installed which is connected to a fuel gauge situated in the cockpit. The filler caps are placed on the top surface of each tank and must be designed to minimize the probability of in-flight loss or incorrect installation. ![]() There are two vents to the atmosphere within the system this ensures that if one vent gets blocked, the system will remain at atmospheric pressure. The two fuel tanks are mounted one in each wing and connected such that fuel can move between them (this is not the case with all high-wing fuel systems). Figure 1: Schematic of a gravity-fed aircraft fuel system In some cases, a booster pump is also installed to augment the gravity fed system – typically if the engine is fuel injected and not running a carburetor-based system.Ī typical gravity fed fuel system of a high-wing, single-engine light aircraft is shown in the image below. Regulations dictate that the system must provide a flow rate that is at least 150 % of the take-off fuel consumption of the engine throughout the certified flight envelope. This is only possible if the tanks are located higher than the engine, so gravity fed systems are typically seen on high wing aircraft like the Cessna 172. Gravity FedĪs the name implies, a gravity fed system relies on gravitational force to feed the engines from the tanks. The gravity fed system and the pumped system. There are two primary fuel delivery methods typically seen on light aircraft. ![]() The fuel delivery system includes fuel tanks and fuel lines, any fuel pumps necessary to move the fuel from the tanks to the engine, fuel strainers to prevent contaminated fuel entering the engine, a set of valves and vents to control the movement and pressure in the system, and a set of fuel level sensors and cockpit gauges. In this post we’ll cover both the fuel and the fuel delivery system of a typical light aircraft. The type and grade of fuel used must always meet the requirements specified by the engine manufacturer with respect to chemical composition and octane rating. This includes any manoeuvre which forms part of the aircraft’s certification envelope. An aircraft’s fuel system must be capable of providing a consistent delivery of fuel at the flow rate and pressure established by the manufacturer to ensure proper engine functioning under likely operating conditions.
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