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Belly pod, fuel bladder, transfer pump

KeithO

PATRON
Arizona
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.
 
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.
 
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
 
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.
Tin Creek.jpg
 
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
 
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.
 
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
 
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.
 
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.
 
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