Brief Description: Tested Fuel System In Nose Down and Up Positions
Tested Fuel System In 10 degree Nose Down and 25 degree Up Positions. Used the aircraft jacking system to slowly and carefuly raise the main gear off of the ground enough to achieve the 10 degrees down angle. Sand bags were placed around the nosegear to prevent any rolling or pivoting. A hoist was used to relieve some of the weight from the nose gear as it was re-positioned. The aircraft jacking system was effective and steady but ther was always the concern for the aircraft falling off of the jacks. A combination of car ramps and boards were used to fill the air gaps as the aircraft raised higher on the jacks. After achieving the angle, the jacks were lowered to remove the risk. For the testing of the aircraft in the nose high attitude, sand bags prevented aircraft movement as the tail was lowered over a decline. An automobile jack under the nose wheel was used to lift the nose. In all positions and from all tanks, the minute ounce flow rate was 97 -101. Unusable fuel was determined after each fuel flow test. The maximum unusable fuel volume was in the nose down attitude, with the right tank being worse than the left tank. The right tank value was 79 ounces while the left tank was 59 ounces. In the worst case scenario, this means that a prolonged decline with near empty tanks is not a good idea if using the right tank. In all other attitudes, the unusable fuel wass in the range of 14 - 24 ounces.
