Belly pod, fuel bladder, transfer pump

[KeithO]

I am doing a lot of work on a certified PA-18 and the plane is currently "apart".
I have an Airglas LC18XL on the way and I plan to use it to carry fuel on long trips. Current plan is to use 5 gal metal cans.

I'd like to be able to use a transfer pump with a removable fuel bladder in the pod. The pump and plumbing would be similar to the setup Airglas has for their LTC18 combo fuel/cargo pod.

Has anyone done something like this? I'm trying to determine the feasibility of getting field approval to install an underseat fuel pump and associated plumbing to connect to a removable bladder in the pod.

 

[farm_boy252]

Maybe a used 32g belly pod would be easier. Could switch back/forth with cargo version as needed?

 

[bda]

Metal cans??

 

[KeithO]

Metal cans??

That's the way I am doing it right now. I burn ethanol-free mogas, so on long cross country flights, I carry several metal jerry cans. Not looking forward to the day I have to use the fuel step. I could make a portable transfer pump, but I'm asking about a bladder setup to see if it's practical to do that to get ready for the day I have to carry a lot of fuel.

 

[aktango58]

approved? If you want to get approval, buy the Airglass fuel system and put it in, then the only part the FAA will have issue with is the fuel tank

 

[bda]

https://www.skycowboysupplyco.com/product-page/liquid-containment-bag

Try one of these with their light-weight valve/ spout, you will never go back to metal cans. Safer to throw up on the wing/ safer in the baggage area.

 

[DENNY]

If you do a search some of this has been covered before. Airless makes a combo pod with this you would already have a STC system in place then just add fuel to the pod on a piss break. Bushwheel bags with a ball valve spout makes filling a wing fuel/fuel pod pretty easy, Bushwheel bags unlike cans get small when empty leaving lots of room to get meat/fish back home. While the plane is apart put in a good extended baggage so you have lots of space for the light stiff. Also consider Dodge or Dakota tanks only have to move the fuel once, My last trip I carried 6 bags in the back and used them all so I understand that fuel step issue. Make sure you get that 2,000 lb wing upgrade done while you are working on the plane. It is real easy to build a 1,000 lb or bigger load when you start on trips with 8 hours or more fuel..
DENNY

 

[KeithO]

If you do a search some of this has been covered before. Airless makes a combo pod with this you would already have a STC system in place then just add fuel to the pod on a piss break. Bushwheel bags with a ball valve spout makes filling a wing fuel/fuel pod pretty easy, Bushwheel bags unlike cans get small when empty leaving lots of room to get meat/fish back home. While the plane is apart put in a good extended baggage so you have lots of space for the light stiff. Also consider Dodge or Dakota tanks only have to move the fuel once, My last trip I carried 6 bags in the back and used them all so I understand that fuel step issue. Make sure you get that 2,000 lb wing upgrade done while you are working on the plane. It is real easy to build a 1,000 lb or bigger load when you start on trips with 8 hours or more fuel..
DENNY

Plane already has the baggage and 2000 GWI. Would love the DC 24 gal tanks but that will have to wait until a ground up rebuild. I have the Airglas straight pod so bags would work fine. Just looking for less of a workout since I'm not getting any younger. I can hoist the jerry cans just fine on a ladder but maybe I would use a portable transfer pump for times when there is no ladder available. New panel going in so I am trying to decide on whether to include a hole and label for a transfer pump switch. Seems like using the airglas approved data and going for a filed approval may be the way tot go.

 

[DENNY]

OK now we are down to the good stuff!! Sounds like as myself you have a limited number of flying days left. So don't worry about building a pretty boy Yuppy cub. Build the panel with lots of extra space for gauges and switches. Put a checklist in the gauge hole and just don't label the switch until you hook it up!! A 30 gal fuel bladder can move all the fuel to the wing if you just out stuff in top of it. Think outside the box! Send me a PM with your phone number I got a lot of ways to spend your money and som of them are even good. I can cover 3 weeks of posts in 10 min, well might be a bit longer because I do tend to talk a bit!
DENNY

 

[KeithO]

OK now we are down to the good stuff!! Sounds like as myself you have a limited number of flying days left. So don't worry about building a pretty boy Yuppy cub. Build the panel with lots of extra space for gauges and switches. Put a checklist in the gauge hole and just don't label the switch until you hook it up!! A 30 gal fuel bladder can move all the fuel to the wing if you just out stuff in top of it. Think outside the box! Send me a PM with your phone number I got a lot of ways to spend your money and som of them are even good. I can cover 3 weeks of posts in 10 min, well might be a bit longer because I do tend to talk a bit!
DENNY

Thanks Denny! I'll reach out as soon as I get a chance.

 

[KeithO]

I found an approved 337 with the setup I want - fuel bag and facet pump in a float compartment. That 337 has the fuel line tied in near the fuel selector (with fueling instructions on a placard). I'll try for an approval based on that 337 with a tie in at the upper sight gauge and a fuel bag in the pod or float compartment.