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The fuel system is designed to provide an uninterrupted flow of clean fuel from the fuel tanks
to the engine. The fuel must be available to the engine under all conditions of engine power,
altitude, attitude, and during all approved flight maneuvers. Two common classifications apply
to fuel systems in small aircraft: gravity-feed and fuel-pump systems.
Gravity-Feed System
The gravity-feed system utilizes the
force of gravity to transfer the fuel from
the tanks to the engine. For example, on
high-wing airplanes, the fuel tanks are
installed in the wings. This places the
fuel tanks above the carburetor, and the
fuel is gravity fed through the system and
into the carburetor. If the design of the
aircraft is such that gravity cannot be
used to transfer fuel, fuel pumps are
installed. For example, on low-wing
airplanes, the fuel tanks in the wings are
located below the carburetor. [Figure 6-
30]
Fuel Primer
Both gravity-feed and fuel-pump systems may incorporate a fuel primer into the system. The
fuel primer is used to draw fuel from the tanks to vaporize fuel directly into the cylinders prior
to starting the engine. During cold weather, when engines are difficult to start, the fuel primer
helps because there is not enough heat available to vaporize the fuel in the carburetor. It is
important to lock the primer in place when it is not in use. If the knob is free to move, it may
vibrate out during flight and can cause an excessively rich mixture. To avoid overpriming, read
the priming instructions for the aircraft.
Fuel Tanks
The fuel tanks, normally located inside the wings of an airplane, have a filler opening on top
of the wing through which they can be filled. A filler cap covers this opening. The tanks are
vented to the outside to maintain atmospheric pressure inside the tank. They may be vented
through the filler cap or through a tube extending through the surface of the wing. Fuel tanks
also include an overflow drain that may stand alone or be collocated with the fuel tank vent.
This allows fuel to expand with increases in temperature without damage to the tank itself. If
the tanks have been filled on a hot day, it is not unusual to see fuel coming from the overflow
drain.
Fuel Gauges
The aircraft fuel systems fuel quantity gauges indicate the amount of fuel measured by a
sensing unit in each fuel tank and is displayed in gallons or pounds. Aircraft certification rules
require accuracy in fuel gauges only when they read “empty.” Any reading other than “empty”
should be verified. Do not depend solely on the accuracy of the fuel quantity gauges. Always
visually check the fuel level in each tank during the preflight inspection, and then compare it
with the corresponding fuel quantity indication.
If a fuel pump is installed in the fuel system, a fuel pressure gauge is also included. This gauge
indicates the pressure in the fuel lines. The normal operating pressure can be found in the
AFM/POH or on the gauge by color coding.
Fuel Selectors
The aircraft fuel systems fuel selector valve allows selection of fuel from various tanks. A
common type of selector valve contains four positions: LEFT, RIGHT, BOTH, and OFF.
Selecting the LEFT or RIGHT position allows fuel to feed only from that tank, while selecting
the BOTH position feeds fuel from both tanks. The LEFT or RIGHT position may be used to
balance the amount of fuel remaining in each wing tank. [Figure 6-31]