co Aircraft Fuel Tanks. Aircraft fuel tanks are constructed with sumps to trap water. Since it is practically impossible to drain all water from the tanks through the fuel lines, the fuel tank sumps should be regularly drained in order to remove all water from the system.
Why do we sump fuel?
Sump the aircraft each and every time you fly. Piston engines don't run well on water or anything other than what they're designed to burn. Since water is heavier than fuel, it collects at the lowest points in the tanks, where the fuel strainers are located. That's why we sump the fuel before starting up the airplane.
Why does a pilot drain a small amount of fuel from each sump before each flight?
In aircraft, the fuel is generally drawn from a point higher than the sump so water will not get to the engine. Draining a little out of the sump to verify there is no water in the tank keeps water from water from condensation from becoming a problem.
How does water get into airplane fuel?
Rain water frequently enters aircraft fuel tanks through leaky tank caps. 6. Even though the wing tanks were sumped prior to flight as a special precaution, the water was not discovered until the engines performed unevenly in flight and a precautionary landing was made.
Why do we sump fuel tanks?
Water can be present in the fuel from condensation, particularly if the tanks are not kept full. Since water is heavier than fuel, it collects at the lowest points in the tanks, where the fuel strainers are located. That's why we sump the fuel before starting up the airplane.
What is a fuel sump aviation?
A sump is a low point in a fuel system and/or fuel tank. Fuel samples should be drained and checked visually for water and contaminants. Water in the sump is hazardous because in cold weather the water can freeze and block fuel lines. In warm weather, it can flow into the carburetor and stop the engine.
Why is it necessary to vent all aircraft fuel tanks?
Each tank is vented (or pressurised) to allow air into the tank to take the place of burned fuel; otherwise, the tank would be in negative pressure which would result in engine fuel starvation. A vent also allows for changes in atmospheric pressure and temperature.
What is the required capacity of a fuel tank sump?
(a) Each fuel tank must have a sump with an effective capacity, in the normal ground attitude, of not less than the greater of 0.10 percent of the tank capacity or one-sixteenth of a gallon unless operating limitations are established to ensure that the accumulation of water in service will not exceed the sump capacity
What is the point of a fuel sump?
Fuel systems are designed with sumps at the low points in each tank and in the system. Pilots use these sumps to remove water and other contaminants that settle out of the fuel. But don't be lulled into believing it always works.
What does it mean to sump fuel?
Sump. A low point in an aircraft fuel tank in which water and other contaminants can collect and be held until they can be drained out.
Why is it necessary to drain fuel out of the sumps?
Why is it important to drain all of the fuel sumps before the first flights of the day? Water can condense in the fuel tanks and it must be drained out before flight. The fuel system must be drained and flushed out with the proper grade of aviation gasoline.
Why is one expected to drain some fuel before the 1st flight of the day and what would you do if anything else apart from fuel is found?
Since water is heavier than fuel, if there is just a little bit of water in the fuel it could cause the engine to stop. You can't pull over to the side of the road like you can in a car, so you need to immediately deal with the problem. The most likely place for this to occur is on takeoff.
What are the indications of water in aircraft fuel after draining a sample from the fuel sumps?
The first indications will likely be sputtering and a generally rough-running engine. Once enough water is mixed with fuel, combustion is no longer possible. Water is the most common contaminant in aviation fuel. Because water it's denser than 100LL, you'll find water settling to the lowest part of the tank.Sep 4, 2018