Fortysix12
Registered User
RanchAero Grand Vista, Brooksville
Building an 18A with standard 18 a side. Do I put one in with or with out fuel. Comments anyone.
reliableflyer said:If one is standing on the left float when he checks fuel for water his wieght pushes that float down in the water and he will fail to get all the water that is in the tank (it is in the outboard end). To check the left tank walk out on the right float, lean through the aircraft and check the left tank keeping the weight on the right side of the aircraft. Take off on the left tank and switch to the right tank when you are high enough and in a position where a shot of water will not put you on the ground or in the water. With some inginuity such as a long piece of pvc pipe, one can check the right wing without standing on the right float.
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reliableflyer said:While most of the J-5 and Pa-12 are the same I am not sure about the tanks but I assume they are the same as well. Behindpropellers, if your tanks are the same as the 12, they are made of turnplate which is very brittle and cracks easily. Many have been sloshed. They have three rib stiffiners in the bottom (and top) of the 19 gal tank. These stiffiners hold water forward of the ribs and the quick drain. While there is a provision for water to get it is not adequate and is restricted even more if the tank sides have any dents or the tanks have been sloshed.