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Is there a tank priority sequence for using the fuel tanks?
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Is there a tank priority sequence for using the fuel tanks, or does the pilot decide?
fuel-tanks fuel-systems aircraft-operations
edited 4 mins ago
ymb1
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Is there a tank priority sequence for using the fuel tanks, or does the pilot decide?
fuel-tanks fuel-systems aircraft-operations
edited 4 mins ago
ymb1
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up vote
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up vote
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Is there a tank priority sequence for using the fuel tanks, or does the pilot decide?
fuel-tanks fuel-systems aircraft-operations
edited 4 mins ago
ymb1
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asked yesterday
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Is there a tank priority sequence for using the fuel tanks, or does the pilot decide?
fuel-tanks fuel-systems aircraft-operations
fuel-tanks fuel-systems aircraft-operations
edited 4 mins ago
ymb1
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asked yesterday
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edited 4 mins ago
ymb1
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edited 4 mins ago
ymb1
62.7k6198329
edited 4 mins ago
ymb1
62.7k6198329
edited 4 mins ago
ymb1
62.7k6198329
62.7k6198329
asked yesterday
TestUser
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asked yesterday
TestUser
634
asked yesterday
TestUser
634
634
New contributor
TestUser is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
TestUser is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
TestUser is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Welcome to Av.SE!
– Ralph J
yesterday
add a comment |Â
Welcome to Av.SE!
– Ralph J
yesterday
Welcome to Av.SE!
– Ralph J
yesterday
Welcome to Av.SE!
– Ralph J
yesterday
add a comment |Â
5 Answers
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up vote
23
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Which fuel tanks are used in order of priority in aircraft?
What you're talking about, in large aircraft, is often referred to as the fuel burn schedule. Light aircraft generally do not have a fuel burn schedule or have minimal requirements.
The fuel burn schedule is dictated by the aircraft design and is thus different for different aircraft designs.
Is there a sequence of priority?
Yes, and if you don't observe the fuel burn schedule you risk exceeding the structural limitations of the aircraft, and in particular wing bending moments.
Or the pilot decides?
No, the pilot does not decide usually. While there may be some leeway in the fuel burn schedules of large aircraft, the pilot or a flight engineer (old aircraft) or an automated system does not decide but rather implements a preset protocol.
As an example, here's a general outline of the fuel burn schedule for 747-100/200 aircraft. This is from memory so might not be entirely correct but is sufficiently so for example purposes:
- On start, taxi, and takeoff burn tank to engine. In other words, route the fuel from main tank 1 to engine 1, main tank 2 to engine 2, etc.
- Once you're established in your cruise climb, all engines burn out of the center tank if there is fuel in the center tank until the center tank fuel is exhausted (but don't burn any fuel in the center tank that is there for ballast).
- Burn engines 1 & 2 from main tank 2 and engines 3 & 4 from main tank 3 until the amount of fuel in main tank 2 matches that in main tank 1 and the amount of fuel in main tank 3 matches that in main tank 4. Main tanks 2 & 3 are larger than 1 & 4. When parity is reached, burn tank to engine.
- At some point transfer the fuel in reserve tank 1 to main tank 1 and reserve tank 4 to main tank 4. Likewise, if you have them, from reserve tank 2 to main tank 2 and reserve tank 3 to main tank 3. Most 747-100/200 aircraft didn't have reserve tanks 2 & 3. You have to get the fuel out of the reserve tanks before landing.
Be aware that just as there is a fuel burn schedule, there may also be a fuel loading schedule. In the 747-100/200 that schedule dictated that no fuel goes into the center tank until all other tanks are full. As I remember, the largest main tank could hold 114999 lbs of fuel in the largest center tank (center tank size varied as ordered by the airline and changed through the production run of the aircraft).
answered yesterday
Terry
32.2k583159
3
Fortunately, it doesn't need to be committed to memory because it will be on the checklist.
– GalacticCowboy
7 hours ago
"No, the pilot does not decide usually." I assume though there are overrides possible in case of an emergency?
– Mast
3 hours ago
1
@Mast I can't speak to automated systems or other aircraft, but in the case of 747-100/200 aircraft the system was very flexible (and was considered complicated) with the exception that once you move fuel out of a reserve tank, you can't put it back as I remember. It's not a matter of overriding but of the flight engineer throwing switches in an order other than would normally be done.
– Terry
1 hour ago
That makes perfect sense, thanks for adding that.
– Mast
57 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
6
down vote
There is a sequence of priority and it is spelled out in the Aircraft Operations Manual (or similar). For example, in a B757/767 fuel is loaded into the wing tanks first and then if more fuel is required fuel is added to the center tank. During the flight the fuel is used from the center tank first and then the wing tanks.
Some light aircraft, e.g. Cessna 310, 402, etc., may have auxiliary fuel tanks in addition to main tanks that are designed to be used in accordance with procedures in the aircraft's flight manual/pilot operating handbook.
answered yesterday
757toga
5,2191030
I was going to bring up the Cessna 310 as an example too. The backup fuel pumps can only pull from the Main tanks IIRC, so you burn off the Aux fuel first, BUT fuel return from the engines is to the main tank so you need to burn enough off the mains that they don't overfill. Fun ship. :)
– Erin Anne
18 hours ago
1
@ErinAnne - Good comment. Great airplane. Trivia question: Which circuit breaker controls the "tip tank transfer pump?"
– 757toga
17 hours ago
1
@757toga I did all my multi time in 2006, but I found a POH online and looked it up because I'd forgotten: the landing light circuit breaker, lol. (In the 310K POH I found at myhra.org/Cessna310KOnePageperPage.pdf it's on page 2-1, under "Fuel System".
– Erin Anne
17 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
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My G35 Bonanza (and many other, older aircraft) used a pressure carburetor that would return excess fuel to the left main fuel cell.
This meant that no matter what fuel cell the engine was consuming fuel from, the carburetor would always be sending the fuel it did not feed to the intake manifold back to that particular fuel cell.
If the left main fuel cell were full of fuel, the returned fuel from the carburetor would be vented overboard.
The workaround for this behavior of the fuel system was to consume fuel from the left main fuel cell for at least the first hour of the flight before consuming fuel from the other fuel cells/tanks. This would leave space in the left main fuel cell for the the carburetor return unused fuel without it being vented overboard.
answered 37 mins ago
Dan Nafe
1
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up vote
-3
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Always burn from your drop tanks first. If you have to drop them, it is better than they are mostly empty than not.
Other than that, fuel tanks should always be used in the order that they were filled.
answered 16 hours ago
quiet flyer
19111
1
"In the order they were filled"??? Where do you get that from? What sequence tanks are filled is generally unrelated to the sequence they're used, and often they can be filled in any order desired. This answer looks like uninformed nonsense, in light of the aircraft I've flown.
– Ralph J
14 hours ago
This does not provide an answer to the question. To critique or request clarification from an author, leave a comment below their post. - From Review
– Carlo Felicione
6 hours ago
1
What airliner or general aviation aircraft is equipped with drop tanks?
– DeepSpace
6 hours ago
It could actually be military aircraft (with drop tanks). The question does not specify the type of aircraft.
– Peter Mortensen
1 hour ago
As some readers seem to assume commercial aircraft (perhaps biased by the existing answers), perhaps be explicit about that in your answer. An example (with a picture) and sources would also greatly help avoiding misunderstandings.
– Peter Mortensen
1 hour ago
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up vote
-3
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Yes! When you are filling up the aircraft and you use the centre tanks, it then means that the pilot has to use the centre tanks first before the 1 or 2 wing tanks are selected, and to keep checking to make sure the tanks are balanced according to the manufacturer’s procedure.
edited 7 mins ago
ymb1
62.7k6198329
answered 21 hours ago
frank ifi
11
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2
Welcome to Av.SE. Your answer is correct & it does answer the question, but you're getting down-votes because it doesn't really add to the other answer here, doesn't explain "why", and doesn't reference any sort of authoritative source. So it ends up looking like "somebody on the internet said..." which isn't particularly useful. Can you add a reference or an explanation "why" we do it this way? That would improve the answer considerably.
– Ralph J
15 hours ago
add a comment |Â
5 Answers
5
active
oldest
votes
5 Answers
5
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
23
down vote
accepted
Which fuel tanks are used in order of priority in aircraft?
What you're talking about, in large aircraft, is often referred to as the fuel burn schedule. Light aircraft generally do not have a fuel burn schedule or have minimal requirements.
The fuel burn schedule is dictated by the aircraft design and is thus different for different aircraft designs.
Is there a sequence of priority?
Yes, and if you don't observe the fuel burn schedule you risk exceeding the structural limitations of the aircraft, and in particular wing bending moments.
Or the pilot decides?
No, the pilot does not decide usually. While there may be some leeway in the fuel burn schedules of large aircraft, the pilot or a flight engineer (old aircraft) or an automated system does not decide but rather implements a preset protocol.
As an example, here's a general outline of the fuel burn schedule for 747-100/200 aircraft. This is from memory so might not be entirely correct but is sufficiently so for example purposes:
- On start, taxi, and takeoff burn tank to engine. In other words, route the fuel from main tank 1 to engine 1, main tank 2 to engine 2, etc.
- Once you're established in your cruise climb, all engines burn out of the center tank if there is fuel in the center tank until the center tank fuel is exhausted (but don't burn any fuel in the center tank that is there for ballast).
- Burn engines 1 & 2 from main tank 2 and engines 3 & 4 from main tank 3 until the amount of fuel in main tank 2 matches that in main tank 1 and the amount of fuel in main tank 3 matches that in main tank 4. Main tanks 2 & 3 are larger than 1 & 4. When parity is reached, burn tank to engine.
- At some point transfer the fuel in reserve tank 1 to main tank 1 and reserve tank 4 to main tank 4. Likewise, if you have them, from reserve tank 2 to main tank 2 and reserve tank 3 to main tank 3. Most 747-100/200 aircraft didn't have reserve tanks 2 & 3. You have to get the fuel out of the reserve tanks before landing.
Be aware that just as there is a fuel burn schedule, there may also be a fuel loading schedule. In the 747-100/200 that schedule dictated that no fuel goes into the center tank until all other tanks are full. As I remember, the largest main tank could hold 114999 lbs of fuel in the largest center tank (center tank size varied as ordered by the airline and changed through the production run of the aircraft).
answered yesterday
Terry
32.2k583159
3
Fortunately, it doesn't need to be committed to memory because it will be on the checklist.
– GalacticCowboy
7 hours ago
"No, the pilot does not decide usually." I assume though there are overrides possible in case of an emergency?
– Mast
3 hours ago
1
@Mast I can't speak to automated systems or other aircraft, but in the case of 747-100/200 aircraft the system was very flexible (and was considered complicated) with the exception that once you move fuel out of a reserve tank, you can't put it back as I remember. It's not a matter of overriding but of the flight engineer throwing switches in an order other than would normally be done.
– Terry
1 hour ago
That makes perfect sense, thanks for adding that.
– Mast
57 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
23
down vote
accepted
Which fuel tanks are used in order of priority in aircraft?
What you're talking about, in large aircraft, is often referred to as the fuel burn schedule. Light aircraft generally do not have a fuel burn schedule or have minimal requirements.
The fuel burn schedule is dictated by the aircraft design and is thus different for different aircraft designs.
Is there a sequence of priority?
Yes, and if you don't observe the fuel burn schedule you risk exceeding the structural limitations of the aircraft, and in particular wing bending moments.
Or the pilot decides?
No, the pilot does not decide usually. While there may be some leeway in the fuel burn schedules of large aircraft, the pilot or a flight engineer (old aircraft) or an automated system does not decide but rather implements a preset protocol.
As an example, here's a general outline of the fuel burn schedule for 747-100/200 aircraft. This is from memory so might not be entirely correct but is sufficiently so for example purposes:
- On start, taxi, and takeoff burn tank to engine. In other words, route the fuel from main tank 1 to engine 1, main tank 2 to engine 2, etc.
- Once you're established in your cruise climb, all engines burn out of the center tank if there is fuel in the center tank until the center tank fuel is exhausted (but don't burn any fuel in the center tank that is there for ballast).
- Burn engines 1 & 2 from main tank 2 and engines 3 & 4 from main tank 3 until the amount of fuel in main tank 2 matches that in main tank 1 and the amount of fuel in main tank 3 matches that in main tank 4. Main tanks 2 & 3 are larger than 1 & 4. When parity is reached, burn tank to engine.
- At some point transfer the fuel in reserve tank 1 to main tank 1 and reserve tank 4 to main tank 4. Likewise, if you have them, from reserve tank 2 to main tank 2 and reserve tank 3 to main tank 3. Most 747-100/200 aircraft didn't have reserve tanks 2 & 3. You have to get the fuel out of the reserve tanks before landing.
Be aware that just as there is a fuel burn schedule, there may also be a fuel loading schedule. In the 747-100/200 that schedule dictated that no fuel goes into the center tank until all other tanks are full. As I remember, the largest main tank could hold 114999 lbs of fuel in the largest center tank (center tank size varied as ordered by the airline and changed through the production run of the aircraft).
answered yesterday
Terry
32.2k583159
3
Fortunately, it doesn't need to be committed to memory because it will be on the checklist.
– GalacticCowboy
7 hours ago
"No, the pilot does not decide usually." I assume though there are overrides possible in case of an emergency?
– Mast
3 hours ago
1
@Mast I can't speak to automated systems or other aircraft, but in the case of 747-100/200 aircraft the system was very flexible (and was considered complicated) with the exception that once you move fuel out of a reserve tank, you can't put it back as I remember. It's not a matter of overriding but of the flight engineer throwing switches in an order other than would normally be done.
– Terry
1 hour ago
That makes perfect sense, thanks for adding that.
– Mast
57 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
23
down vote
accepted
up vote
23
down vote
accepted
Which fuel tanks are used in order of priority in aircraft?
What you're talking about, in large aircraft, is often referred to as the fuel burn schedule. Light aircraft generally do not have a fuel burn schedule or have minimal requirements.
The fuel burn schedule is dictated by the aircraft design and is thus different for different aircraft designs.
Is there a sequence of priority?
Yes, and if you don't observe the fuel burn schedule you risk exceeding the structural limitations of the aircraft, and in particular wing bending moments.
Or the pilot decides?
No, the pilot does not decide usually. While there may be some leeway in the fuel burn schedules of large aircraft, the pilot or a flight engineer (old aircraft) or an automated system does not decide but rather implements a preset protocol.
As an example, here's a general outline of the fuel burn schedule for 747-100/200 aircraft. This is from memory so might not be entirely correct but is sufficiently so for example purposes:
- On start, taxi, and takeoff burn tank to engine. In other words, route the fuel from main tank 1 to engine 1, main tank 2 to engine 2, etc.
- Once you're established in your cruise climb, all engines burn out of the center tank if there is fuel in the center tank until the center tank fuel is exhausted (but don't burn any fuel in the center tank that is there for ballast).
- Burn engines 1 & 2 from main tank 2 and engines 3 & 4 from main tank 3 until the amount of fuel in main tank 2 matches that in main tank 1 and the amount of fuel in main tank 3 matches that in main tank 4. Main tanks 2 & 3 are larger than 1 & 4. When parity is reached, burn tank to engine.
- At some point transfer the fuel in reserve tank 1 to main tank 1 and reserve tank 4 to main tank 4. Likewise, if you have them, from reserve tank 2 to main tank 2 and reserve tank 3 to main tank 3. Most 747-100/200 aircraft didn't have reserve tanks 2 & 3. You have to get the fuel out of the reserve tanks before landing.
Be aware that just as there is a fuel burn schedule, there may also be a fuel loading schedule. In the 747-100/200 that schedule dictated that no fuel goes into the center tank until all other tanks are full. As I remember, the largest main tank could hold 114999 lbs of fuel in the largest center tank (center tank size varied as ordered by the airline and changed through the production run of the aircraft).
answered yesterday
Terry
32.2k583159
Which fuel tanks are used in order of priority in aircraft?
What you're talking about, in large aircraft, is often referred to as the fuel burn schedule. Light aircraft generally do not have a fuel burn schedule or have minimal requirements.
The fuel burn schedule is dictated by the aircraft design and is thus different for different aircraft designs.
Is there a sequence of priority?
Yes, and if you don't observe the fuel burn schedule you risk exceeding the structural limitations of the aircraft, and in particular wing bending moments.
Or the pilot decides?
No, the pilot does not decide usually. While there may be some leeway in the fuel burn schedules of large aircraft, the pilot or a flight engineer (old aircraft) or an automated system does not decide but rather implements a preset protocol.
As an example, here's a general outline of the fuel burn schedule for 747-100/200 aircraft. This is from memory so might not be entirely correct but is sufficiently so for example purposes:
- On start, taxi, and takeoff burn tank to engine. In other words, route the fuel from main tank 1 to engine 1, main tank 2 to engine 2, etc.
- Once you're established in your cruise climb, all engines burn out of the center tank if there is fuel in the center tank until the center tank fuel is exhausted (but don't burn any fuel in the center tank that is there for ballast).
- Burn engines 1 & 2 from main tank 2 and engines 3 & 4 from main tank 3 until the amount of fuel in main tank 2 matches that in main tank 1 and the amount of fuel in main tank 3 matches that in main tank 4. Main tanks 2 & 3 are larger than 1 & 4. When parity is reached, burn tank to engine.
- At some point transfer the fuel in reserve tank 1 to main tank 1 and reserve tank 4 to main tank 4. Likewise, if you have them, from reserve tank 2 to main tank 2 and reserve tank 3 to main tank 3. Most 747-100/200 aircraft didn't have reserve tanks 2 & 3. You have to get the fuel out of the reserve tanks before landing.
Be aware that just as there is a fuel burn schedule, there may also be a fuel loading schedule. In the 747-100/200 that schedule dictated that no fuel goes into the center tank until all other tanks are full. As I remember, the largest main tank could hold 114999 lbs of fuel in the largest center tank (center tank size varied as ordered by the airline and changed through the production run of the aircraft).
answered yesterday
Terry
32.2k583159
answered yesterday
Terry
32.2k583159
answered yesterday
Terry
32.2k583159
answered yesterday
Terry
32.2k583159
32.2k583159
3
Fortunately, it doesn't need to be committed to memory because it will be on the checklist.
– GalacticCowboy
7 hours ago
"No, the pilot does not decide usually." I assume though there are overrides possible in case of an emergency?
– Mast
3 hours ago
1
@Mast I can't speak to automated systems or other aircraft, but in the case of 747-100/200 aircraft the system was very flexible (and was considered complicated) with the exception that once you move fuel out of a reserve tank, you can't put it back as I remember. It's not a matter of overriding but of the flight engineer throwing switches in an order other than would normally be done.
– Terry
1 hour ago
That makes perfect sense, thanks for adding that.
– Mast
57 mins ago
add a comment |Â
3
Fortunately, it doesn't need to be committed to memory because it will be on the checklist.
– GalacticCowboy
7 hours ago
"No, the pilot does not decide usually." I assume though there are overrides possible in case of an emergency?
– Mast
3 hours ago
1
@Mast I can't speak to automated systems or other aircraft, but in the case of 747-100/200 aircraft the system was very flexible (and was considered complicated) with the exception that once you move fuel out of a reserve tank, you can't put it back as I remember. It's not a matter of overriding but of the flight engineer throwing switches in an order other than would normally be done.
– Terry
1 hour ago
That makes perfect sense, thanks for adding that.
– Mast
57 mins ago
3
3
Fortunately, it doesn't need to be committed to memory because it will be on the checklist.
– GalacticCowboy
7 hours ago
Fortunately, it doesn't need to be committed to memory because it will be on the checklist.
– GalacticCowboy
7 hours ago
"No, the pilot does not decide usually." I assume though there are overrides possible in case of an emergency?
– Mast
3 hours ago
"No, the pilot does not decide usually." I assume though there are overrides possible in case of an emergency?
– Mast
3 hours ago
1
1
@Mast I can't speak to automated systems or other aircraft, but in the case of 747-100/200 aircraft the system was very flexible (and was considered complicated) with the exception that once you move fuel out of a reserve tank, you can't put it back as I remember. It's not a matter of overriding but of the flight engineer throwing switches in an order other than would normally be done.
– Terry
1 hour ago
@Mast I can't speak to automated systems or other aircraft, but in the case of 747-100/200 aircraft the system was very flexible (and was considered complicated) with the exception that once you move fuel out of a reserve tank, you can't put it back as I remember. It's not a matter of overriding but of the flight engineer throwing switches in an order other than would normally be done.
– Terry
1 hour ago
That makes perfect sense, thanks for adding that.
– Mast
57 mins ago
That makes perfect sense, thanks for adding that.
– Mast
57 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
6
down vote
There is a sequence of priority and it is spelled out in the Aircraft Operations Manual (or similar). For example, in a B757/767 fuel is loaded into the wing tanks first and then if more fuel is required fuel is added to the center tank. During the flight the fuel is used from the center tank first and then the wing tanks.
Some light aircraft, e.g. Cessna 310, 402, etc., may have auxiliary fuel tanks in addition to main tanks that are designed to be used in accordance with procedures in the aircraft's flight manual/pilot operating handbook.
answered yesterday
757toga
5,2191030
I was going to bring up the Cessna 310 as an example too. The backup fuel pumps can only pull from the Main tanks IIRC, so you burn off the Aux fuel first, BUT fuel return from the engines is to the main tank so you need to burn enough off the mains that they don't overfill. Fun ship. :)
– Erin Anne
18 hours ago
1
@ErinAnne - Good comment. Great airplane. Trivia question: Which circuit breaker controls the "tip tank transfer pump?"
– 757toga
17 hours ago
1
@757toga I did all my multi time in 2006, but I found a POH online and looked it up because I'd forgotten: the landing light circuit breaker, lol. (In the 310K POH I found at myhra.org/Cessna310KOnePageperPage.pdf it's on page 2-1, under "Fuel System".
– Erin Anne
17 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
6
down vote
There is a sequence of priority and it is spelled out in the Aircraft Operations Manual (or similar). For example, in a B757/767 fuel is loaded into the wing tanks first and then if more fuel is required fuel is added to the center tank. During the flight the fuel is used from the center tank first and then the wing tanks.
Some light aircraft, e.g. Cessna 310, 402, etc., may have auxiliary fuel tanks in addition to main tanks that are designed to be used in accordance with procedures in the aircraft's flight manual/pilot operating handbook.
answered yesterday
757toga
5,2191030
I was going to bring up the Cessna 310 as an example too. The backup fuel pumps can only pull from the Main tanks IIRC, so you burn off the Aux fuel first, BUT fuel return from the engines is to the main tank so you need to burn enough off the mains that they don't overfill. Fun ship. :)
– Erin Anne
18 hours ago
1
@ErinAnne - Good comment. Great airplane. Trivia question: Which circuit breaker controls the "tip tank transfer pump?"
– 757toga
17 hours ago
1
@757toga I did all my multi time in 2006, but I found a POH online and looked it up because I'd forgotten: the landing light circuit breaker, lol. (In the 310K POH I found at myhra.org/Cessna310KOnePageperPage.pdf it's on page 2-1, under "Fuel System".
– Erin Anne
17 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
6
down vote
up vote
6
down vote
There is a sequence of priority and it is spelled out in the Aircraft Operations Manual (or similar). For example, in a B757/767 fuel is loaded into the wing tanks first and then if more fuel is required fuel is added to the center tank. During the flight the fuel is used from the center tank first and then the wing tanks.
Some light aircraft, e.g. Cessna 310, 402, etc., may have auxiliary fuel tanks in addition to main tanks that are designed to be used in accordance with procedures in the aircraft's flight manual/pilot operating handbook.
answered yesterday
757toga
5,2191030
There is a sequence of priority and it is spelled out in the Aircraft Operations Manual (or similar). For example, in a B757/767 fuel is loaded into the wing tanks first and then if more fuel is required fuel is added to the center tank. During the flight the fuel is used from the center tank first and then the wing tanks.
Some light aircraft, e.g. Cessna 310, 402, etc., may have auxiliary fuel tanks in addition to main tanks that are designed to be used in accordance with procedures in the aircraft's flight manual/pilot operating handbook.
answered yesterday
757toga
5,2191030
edited yesterday
answered yesterday
757toga
5,2191030
answered yesterday
757toga
5,2191030
answered yesterday
757toga
5,2191030
5,2191030
I was going to bring up the Cessna 310 as an example too. The backup fuel pumps can only pull from the Main tanks IIRC, so you burn off the Aux fuel first, BUT fuel return from the engines is to the main tank so you need to burn enough off the mains that they don't overfill. Fun ship. :)
– Erin Anne
18 hours ago
1
@ErinAnne - Good comment. Great airplane. Trivia question: Which circuit breaker controls the "tip tank transfer pump?"
– 757toga
17 hours ago
1
@757toga I did all my multi time in 2006, but I found a POH online and looked it up because I'd forgotten: the landing light circuit breaker, lol. (In the 310K POH I found at myhra.org/Cessna310KOnePageperPage.pdf it's on page 2-1, under "Fuel System".
– Erin Anne
17 hours ago
add a comment |Â
I was going to bring up the Cessna 310 as an example too. The backup fuel pumps can only pull from the Main tanks IIRC, so you burn off the Aux fuel first, BUT fuel return from the engines is to the main tank so you need to burn enough off the mains that they don't overfill. Fun ship. :)
– Erin Anne
18 hours ago
1
@ErinAnne - Good comment. Great airplane. Trivia question: Which circuit breaker controls the "tip tank transfer pump?"
– 757toga
17 hours ago
1
@757toga I did all my multi time in 2006, but I found a POH online and looked it up because I'd forgotten: the landing light circuit breaker, lol. (In the 310K POH I found at myhra.org/Cessna310KOnePageperPage.pdf it's on page 2-1, under "Fuel System".
– Erin Anne
17 hours ago
I was going to bring up the Cessna 310 as an example too. The backup fuel pumps can only pull from the Main tanks IIRC, so you burn off the Aux fuel first, BUT fuel return from the engines is to the main tank so you need to burn enough off the mains that they don't overfill. Fun ship. :)
– Erin Anne
18 hours ago
I was going to bring up the Cessna 310 as an example too. The backup fuel pumps can only pull from the Main tanks IIRC, so you burn off the Aux fuel first, BUT fuel return from the engines is to the main tank so you need to burn enough off the mains that they don't overfill. Fun ship. :)
– Erin Anne
18 hours ago
1
1
@ErinAnne - Good comment. Great airplane. Trivia question: Which circuit breaker controls the "tip tank transfer pump?"
– 757toga
17 hours ago
@ErinAnne - Good comment. Great airplane. Trivia question: Which circuit breaker controls the "tip tank transfer pump?"
– 757toga
17 hours ago
1
1
@757toga I did all my multi time in 2006, but I found a POH online and looked it up because I'd forgotten: the landing light circuit breaker, lol. (In the 310K POH I found at myhra.org/Cessna310KOnePageperPage.pdf it's on page 2-1, under "Fuel System".
– Erin Anne
17 hours ago
@757toga I did all my multi time in 2006, but I found a POH online and looked it up because I'd forgotten: the landing light circuit breaker, lol. (In the 310K POH I found at myhra.org/Cessna310KOnePageperPage.pdf it's on page 2-1, under "Fuel System".
– Erin Anne
17 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
My G35 Bonanza (and many other, older aircraft) used a pressure carburetor that would return excess fuel to the left main fuel cell.
This meant that no matter what fuel cell the engine was consuming fuel from, the carburetor would always be sending the fuel it did not feed to the intake manifold back to that particular fuel cell.
If the left main fuel cell were full of fuel, the returned fuel from the carburetor would be vented overboard.
The workaround for this behavior of the fuel system was to consume fuel from the left main fuel cell for at least the first hour of the flight before consuming fuel from the other fuel cells/tanks. This would leave space in the left main fuel cell for the the carburetor return unused fuel without it being vented overboard.
answered 37 mins ago
Dan Nafe
1
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Dan Nafe is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
My G35 Bonanza (and many other, older aircraft) used a pressure carburetor that would return excess fuel to the left main fuel cell.
This meant that no matter what fuel cell the engine was consuming fuel from, the carburetor would always be sending the fuel it did not feed to the intake manifold back to that particular fuel cell.
If the left main fuel cell were full of fuel, the returned fuel from the carburetor would be vented overboard.
The workaround for this behavior of the fuel system was to consume fuel from the left main fuel cell for at least the first hour of the flight before consuming fuel from the other fuel cells/tanks. This would leave space in the left main fuel cell for the the carburetor return unused fuel without it being vented overboard.
answered 37 mins ago
Dan Nafe
1
New contributor
Dan Nafe is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
My G35 Bonanza (and many other, older aircraft) used a pressure carburetor that would return excess fuel to the left main fuel cell.
This meant that no matter what fuel cell the engine was consuming fuel from, the carburetor would always be sending the fuel it did not feed to the intake manifold back to that particular fuel cell.
If the left main fuel cell were full of fuel, the returned fuel from the carburetor would be vented overboard.
The workaround for this behavior of the fuel system was to consume fuel from the left main fuel cell for at least the first hour of the flight before consuming fuel from the other fuel cells/tanks. This would leave space in the left main fuel cell for the the carburetor return unused fuel without it being vented overboard.
answered 37 mins ago
Dan Nafe
1
New contributor
Dan Nafe is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
My G35 Bonanza (and many other, older aircraft) used a pressure carburetor that would return excess fuel to the left main fuel cell.
This meant that no matter what fuel cell the engine was consuming fuel from, the carburetor would always be sending the fuel it did not feed to the intake manifold back to that particular fuel cell.
If the left main fuel cell were full of fuel, the returned fuel from the carburetor would be vented overboard.
The workaround for this behavior of the fuel system was to consume fuel from the left main fuel cell for at least the first hour of the flight before consuming fuel from the other fuel cells/tanks. This would leave space in the left main fuel cell for the the carburetor return unused fuel without it being vented overboard.
answered 37 mins ago
Dan Nafe
1
New contributor
Dan Nafe is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 37 mins ago
Dan Nafe
1
New contributor
Dan Nafe is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 37 mins ago
Dan Nafe
1
answered 37 mins ago
Dan Nafe
1
1
New contributor
Dan Nafe is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Dan Nafe is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Dan Nafe is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
up vote
-3
down vote
Always burn from your drop tanks first. If you have to drop them, it is better than they are mostly empty than not.
Other than that, fuel tanks should always be used in the order that they were filled.
answered 16 hours ago
quiet flyer
19111
1
"In the order they were filled"??? Where do you get that from? What sequence tanks are filled is generally unrelated to the sequence they're used, and often they can be filled in any order desired. This answer looks like uninformed nonsense, in light of the aircraft I've flown.
– Ralph J
14 hours ago
This does not provide an answer to the question. To critique or request clarification from an author, leave a comment below their post. - From Review
– Carlo Felicione
6 hours ago
1
What airliner or general aviation aircraft is equipped with drop tanks?
– DeepSpace
6 hours ago
It could actually be military aircraft (with drop tanks). The question does not specify the type of aircraft.
– Peter Mortensen
1 hour ago
As some readers seem to assume commercial aircraft (perhaps biased by the existing answers), perhaps be explicit about that in your answer. An example (with a picture) and sources would also greatly help avoiding misunderstandings.
– Peter Mortensen
1 hour ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
-3
down vote
Always burn from your drop tanks first. If you have to drop them, it is better than they are mostly empty than not.
Other than that, fuel tanks should always be used in the order that they were filled.
answered 16 hours ago
quiet flyer
19111
1
"In the order they were filled"??? Where do you get that from? What sequence tanks are filled is generally unrelated to the sequence they're used, and often they can be filled in any order desired. This answer looks like uninformed nonsense, in light of the aircraft I've flown.
– Ralph J
14 hours ago
This does not provide an answer to the question. To critique or request clarification from an author, leave a comment below their post. - From Review
– Carlo Felicione
6 hours ago
1
What airliner or general aviation aircraft is equipped with drop tanks?
– DeepSpace
6 hours ago
It could actually be military aircraft (with drop tanks). The question does not specify the type of aircraft.
– Peter Mortensen
1 hour ago
As some readers seem to assume commercial aircraft (perhaps biased by the existing answers), perhaps be explicit about that in your answer. An example (with a picture) and sources would also greatly help avoiding misunderstandings.
– Peter Mortensen
1 hour ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
-3
down vote
up vote
-3
down vote
Always burn from your drop tanks first. If you have to drop them, it is better than they are mostly empty than not.
Other than that, fuel tanks should always be used in the order that they were filled.
answered 16 hours ago
quiet flyer
19111
Always burn from your drop tanks first. If you have to drop them, it is better than they are mostly empty than not.
Other than that, fuel tanks should always be used in the order that they were filled.
answered 16 hours ago
quiet flyer
19111
answered 16 hours ago
quiet flyer
19111
answered 16 hours ago
quiet flyer
19111
answered 16 hours ago
quiet flyer
19111
19111
1
"In the order they were filled"??? Where do you get that from? What sequence tanks are filled is generally unrelated to the sequence they're used, and often they can be filled in any order desired. This answer looks like uninformed nonsense, in light of the aircraft I've flown.
– Ralph J
14 hours ago
This does not provide an answer to the question. To critique or request clarification from an author, leave a comment below their post. - From Review
– Carlo Felicione
6 hours ago
1
What airliner or general aviation aircraft is equipped with drop tanks?
– DeepSpace
6 hours ago
It could actually be military aircraft (with drop tanks). The question does not specify the type of aircraft.
– Peter Mortensen
1 hour ago
As some readers seem to assume commercial aircraft (perhaps biased by the existing answers), perhaps be explicit about that in your answer. An example (with a picture) and sources would also greatly help avoiding misunderstandings.
– Peter Mortensen
1 hour ago
add a comment |Â
1
"In the order they were filled"??? Where do you get that from? What sequence tanks are filled is generally unrelated to the sequence they're used, and often they can be filled in any order desired. This answer looks like uninformed nonsense, in light of the aircraft I've flown.
– Ralph J
14 hours ago
This does not provide an answer to the question. To critique or request clarification from an author, leave a comment below their post. - From Review
– Carlo Felicione
6 hours ago
1
What airliner or general aviation aircraft is equipped with drop tanks?
– DeepSpace
6 hours ago
It could actually be military aircraft (with drop tanks). The question does not specify the type of aircraft.
– Peter Mortensen
1 hour ago
As some readers seem to assume commercial aircraft (perhaps biased by the existing answers), perhaps be explicit about that in your answer. An example (with a picture) and sources would also greatly help avoiding misunderstandings.
– Peter Mortensen
1 hour ago
1
1
"In the order they were filled"??? Where do you get that from? What sequence tanks are filled is generally unrelated to the sequence they're used, and often they can be filled in any order desired. This answer looks like uninformed nonsense, in light of the aircraft I've flown.
– Ralph J
14 hours ago
"In the order they were filled"??? Where do you get that from? What sequence tanks are filled is generally unrelated to the sequence they're used, and often they can be filled in any order desired. This answer looks like uninformed nonsense, in light of the aircraft I've flown.
– Ralph J
14 hours ago
This does not provide an answer to the question. To critique or request clarification from an author, leave a comment below their post. - From Review
– Carlo Felicione
6 hours ago
This does not provide an answer to the question. To critique or request clarification from an author, leave a comment below their post. - From Review
– Carlo Felicione
6 hours ago
1
1
What airliner or general aviation aircraft is equipped with drop tanks?
– DeepSpace
6 hours ago
What airliner or general aviation aircraft is equipped with drop tanks?
– DeepSpace
6 hours ago
It could actually be military aircraft (with drop tanks). The question does not specify the type of aircraft.
– Peter Mortensen
1 hour ago
It could actually be military aircraft (with drop tanks). The question does not specify the type of aircraft.
– Peter Mortensen
1 hour ago
As some readers seem to assume commercial aircraft (perhaps biased by the existing answers), perhaps be explicit about that in your answer. An example (with a picture) and sources would also greatly help avoiding misunderstandings.
– Peter Mortensen
1 hour ago
As some readers seem to assume commercial aircraft (perhaps biased by the existing answers), perhaps be explicit about that in your answer. An example (with a picture) and sources would also greatly help avoiding misunderstandings.
– Peter Mortensen
1 hour ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
-3
down vote
Yes! When you are filling up the aircraft and you use the centre tanks, it then means that the pilot has to use the centre tanks first before the 1 or 2 wing tanks are selected, and to keep checking to make sure the tanks are balanced according to the manufacturer’s procedure.
edited 7 mins ago
ymb1
62.7k6198329
answered 21 hours ago
frank ifi
11
New contributor
frank ifi is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
2
Welcome to Av.SE. Your answer is correct & it does answer the question, but you're getting down-votes because it doesn't really add to the other answer here, doesn't explain "why", and doesn't reference any sort of authoritative source. So it ends up looking like "somebody on the internet said..." which isn't particularly useful. Can you add a reference or an explanation "why" we do it this way? That would improve the answer considerably.
– Ralph J
15 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
-3
down vote
Yes! When you are filling up the aircraft and you use the centre tanks, it then means that the pilot has to use the centre tanks first before the 1 or 2 wing tanks are selected, and to keep checking to make sure the tanks are balanced according to the manufacturer’s procedure.
edited 7 mins ago
ymb1
62.7k6198329
answered 21 hours ago
frank ifi
11
New contributor
frank ifi is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
2
Welcome to Av.SE. Your answer is correct & it does answer the question, but you're getting down-votes because it doesn't really add to the other answer here, doesn't explain "why", and doesn't reference any sort of authoritative source. So it ends up looking like "somebody on the internet said..." which isn't particularly useful. Can you add a reference or an explanation "why" we do it this way? That would improve the answer considerably.
– Ralph J
15 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
-3
down vote
up vote
-3
down vote
Yes! When you are filling up the aircraft and you use the centre tanks, it then means that the pilot has to use the centre tanks first before the 1 or 2 wing tanks are selected, and to keep checking to make sure the tanks are balanced according to the manufacturer’s procedure.
edited 7 mins ago
ymb1
62.7k6198329
answered 21 hours ago
frank ifi
11
New contributor
frank ifi is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Yes! When you are filling up the aircraft and you use the centre tanks, it then means that the pilot has to use the centre tanks first before the 1 or 2 wing tanks are selected, and to keep checking to make sure the tanks are balanced according to the manufacturer’s procedure.
edited 7 mins ago
ymb1
62.7k6198329
answered 21 hours ago
frank ifi
11
New contributor
frank ifi is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 7 mins ago
ymb1
62.7k6198329
edited 7 mins ago
ymb1
62.7k6198329
edited 7 mins ago
ymb1
62.7k6198329
62.7k6198329
answered 21 hours ago
frank ifi
11
New contributor
frank ifi is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 21 hours ago
frank ifi
11
answered 21 hours ago
frank ifi
11
11
New contributor
frank ifi is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
frank ifi is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
frank ifi is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
2
Welcome to Av.SE. Your answer is correct & it does answer the question, but you're getting down-votes because it doesn't really add to the other answer here, doesn't explain "why", and doesn't reference any sort of authoritative source. So it ends up looking like "somebody on the internet said..." which isn't particularly useful. Can you add a reference or an explanation "why" we do it this way? That would improve the answer considerably.
– Ralph J
15 hours ago
add a comment |Â
2
Welcome to Av.SE. Your answer is correct & it does answer the question, but you're getting down-votes because it doesn't really add to the other answer here, doesn't explain "why", and doesn't reference any sort of authoritative source. So it ends up looking like "somebody on the internet said..." which isn't particularly useful. Can you add a reference or an explanation "why" we do it this way? That would improve the answer considerably.
– Ralph J
15 hours ago
2
2
Welcome to Av.SE. Your answer is correct & it does answer the question, but you're getting down-votes because it doesn't really add to the other answer here, doesn't explain "why", and doesn't reference any sort of authoritative source. So it ends up looking like "somebody on the internet said..." which isn't particularly useful. Can you add a reference or an explanation "why" we do it this way? That would improve the answer considerably.
– Ralph J
15 hours ago
Welcome to Av.SE. Your answer is correct & it does answer the question, but you're getting down-votes because it doesn't really add to the other answer here, doesn't explain "why", and doesn't reference any sort of authoritative source. So it ends up looking like "somebody on the internet said..." which isn't particularly useful. Can you add a reference or an explanation "why" we do it this way? That would improve the answer considerably.
– Ralph J
15 hours ago
add a comment |Â
TestUser is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
TestUser is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
TestUser is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
TestUser is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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