Fuel Installation

fuelpumps


Fuel tanks

  • Two tanks

Tank 1  (Main Tank)   6,724 litres

Tank 2  (Reserve Tank)  2,293 litres

tank1

tank2

  • Two Pumps – Either tank can feed either pump

Tank 1 – Main Tanktank1a

Tank 2 – Reserve Tanktank2a


Tank and Pump schematic

schematic


Switching Tanks

Normal operation – Tank 1 feeding Pump 1

Symptoms of low fuel level in the tank

  • Fuel flow rate reduces
  • Pump labouring and fuel flow ‘surges’

Change from Tank 1 to Tank 2

  • Replace fuel nozzle in the pump
  • Lift man lid on tank 1
  • Move yellow lever so it is positioned at 90 degrees to the pipe which will close tank 1 outlet valve
  • Lift man lid on tank 2
  • Turn red wheel anti-clockwise (several turns) to open tank 2 outlet valve
  • Replace both man lids – mind your fingers !
  • Remove fuel nozzle and continue refuelling

 

Tank 1 – Outlet Valve (Open)

tank-1-outlet-valve

Tank 2 – Outlet Valve (Closed)

tank-2-outlet-valve-closed


Switching Pumps

  • If the pump in use (normally No.1) fails during refuelling
  • Replace the fuel nozzle in pump No.1
  • Operate the round green gate valve on the Dunstable side of the filter vessel by turning clockwise – this shuts the valve on the No.1 pump delivery line
  • Operate the round green gate valve on the Pig Farm side of the filter vessel by turning anti-clockwise – this opens the valve on the No.2 pump delivery line
  • Take the dummy nozzle from pump No.2 (which will start pump No.2) and replace the fuel nozzle in pump No.1
  • You should now be able to continue refuelling
  • When refuelling is complete, replace the fuel nozzle in pump No. 2

delivery-line-valves


Filter Vessel – Daily Fuel Checks

filter-vessel

  • Use the correct sample jar for the day and empty the previous week’s fuel sample into the waste Avgas jar.
  • Use clean tissue to wipe the inside of the jar to remove any particulates and water droplets sticking to the glass from the previous sample.
  • Operate the water drain into the jar WITHOUT the pump running – this should result in a small amount of fuel in the jar before the flow stops and should clear any free water in the filter vessel – discard into the waste Avgas jar.
  • Remove the fuel nozzle from the pump which will start the pump and pressurise the filter vessel. Take a sample from the water drain at full flow to at least half fill the jar.
  • Put the lid on the jar and allow the sample to settle for a few seconds.
  • ‘Swirl’ the fuel in the jar so that a vortex forms – this will help to collect any particles or free water on the bottom of the jar at the base of the vortex.
  • If free water is observed or the sample is hazy (water in suspension) repeat the sampling process until a clear and bright sample is observed.
  • Note – A small number of rust particles in the sample seem to be ‘normal’ at Dunstable.

fuel-quality


Miscellaneous

  • Remember to attach the earthing cable to an unpainted metal part of the aircraft to dissipate any static electricity BEFORE the fuel nozzle comes anywhere near the aircraft

earthing-cable

  • Do not leave the aircraft unattended while you are fuelling. Occasionally the automatic fuel cut-off mechanism in the nozzle doesn’t !!

nozzle-in-aircraft

  • Take care with the position of the nozzle in the aircraft to avoid fuel pouring out of the fuel overflow pipe as you are fuelling
refuelling
refuelling

….and don’t forget the paperwork !

fuel-log

water-sample-log


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