For the benefit of those who did not file it, Bud Yerly's method is
copied below, together with his response to Graham Singleton's concern
regarding protection from the build-up of static electricity when
fuelling.
Regards
Mike
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Kevin
Klinefelter
Sent: 19 November 2010 17:09
Subject: Re: Europa-List: Fuel filler tube Fixing
<kevann@gotsky.com>
I added a layer of carbon fiber to the filler area.
after a couple years now,I can see the attachment area from the outside
in
the right light. I recall Bud Yerley posted a method that looked like it
would solve the problem...
Kevin N211KA
----- Original Message -----
From: "G-IANI" <g-iani@ntlworld.com>
Sent: Friday, November 19, 2010 7:25 AM
Subject: RE: Europa-List: Fuel filler tube Fixing
>
> John
>
> I think there is a bit of information lacking here.
>
> If you fix the filler to the fuselage as per the book there is a
chance that the skin of the aircraft will distort over time (it has on
G-IANI and G-IRON). This is very slight but can be seen in a glancing
light.
> Andy Draper's recommended solution is to put at least one layer of BID
on the inner skin to spread the attachment loads over a wider area.
Then attach the filler as per the manual.
>
> I have not tried it yet but I will do this on the repairs now being
done on G-IRON. Unfortunately I will not be able to say if it works for
a year or two as it takes this long for the distortion to appear.
>
> Ian Rickard G-IANI XS Trigear, 300hours
> Europa Club Mods Specialist
> e-mail g-iani@ntlworld.com
>
_____
From: owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Bud Yerly
Sent: 13 May 2010 18:19
Subject: Europa-List: Re: Fuselage skin distortion at fuel filler
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Bill,
I just saw your post on the list.
I am sorry, I thought this was now common knowledge, and I apologize to
everyone on the list. Sometimes I get tunnel vision on the way I advise
my customers to build this area and don't pass it on. This method has
been used successfully for quite a few years now and has been wrinkle
free. If it ain't broke, I'm not fixing it.
Problem:
As the fuel vapors evaporate and vents out, it causes cooling in the
PTFE fueling nozzle, the fuel filler tube shrinks and shrinks the
fuselage skin along with it. Epoxy sticks to PTFE extremely well so any
movement of the tube is translated directly to whatever it is attached
to, namely the skin. The manual does not imply that the fuel filler
tube should be separated a bit from the fuselage side and only held by
the tapes, and not a floxed corner at the juncture of the filler tube to
the fuselage (after all, we have gotten used to floxed corners). A
little slop in the two glass straps, applied as described in the manual
(too briefly), would limit the distortion. Many of us do not like to
have a slightly floating fuel filler neck and this is the cure used by
many of us.
Correction:
If you desire to fix your fuel nozzle, cap, and the filler tube solidly
to the fuselage, the fuselage side must be reinforced. Put a 3/16 to
1/4 inch layer of blue foam with two layers of bid glass over the foam
(similar to the forward wing support) to stabilize the fuel filler
contact area to provide for support and prevent expansion/contraction
skin deformations. The thickness of the foam will form a more rigid
skin that extra glass alone may not correct as the skin is only 1/8 inch
thick. Attach the nozzle with straps as described. One at the top, one
near the bottom.
Procedure I use at Custom Flight:
1. Open the hole in the fuselage top to allow the boss from the filler
tube to pass through.
2. Align the fuel filler tube to the fuselage side and temporarily set
it against the side of the aircraft, mark where the fuel tube will set
and check that the rubber fuel hose will fit and not be folded or bent.
3. Cut a piece of scrap blue foam about 1/4 inch thick, and wider than
the fuel tube by about an inch. Set the length from 1 inch minimum
below the fuel filler top hole, and stop near the bottom of the flat
part of the PTFE filler tube.
4. Affix the blue foam to the fuselage side with 5 minute floxed epoxy
on the top and bottom edge and floxed Aeropoxy for the center. Clamp as
necessary. Allow to cure.
5. When secure, chamfer the sides to a 45 and round the edges. Spread
entirely with micro slurry and two layers of glass, and peel ply.
6. Refit the tube, mark the top for the filler cap flush with the outer
fuselage and cut and install the filler cap. Check fit. Once fit is
acceptable, Redux the top area around the filler cap inside and out, and
affix with glass straps as described in the manual. Peel ply as you
will be working around here later.
7. Once all is secure, attach the trimmed rubber fuel elbow and clamp.
8. Use Pro Seal on just the top and bottom points of the rubber fuel
elbow if you are concerned about fuel leakage in the event of an
overfill. Keep in mind, the fuel tube will have to be cut off to remove
it if using Pro Seal (available at A/C Spruce.).
9. Attach fuel vent tubing as appropriate.
<http://photos.msn.com/Viewing/Album.aspx?PST=8nK2AN1B!1LEiKSdooxx9v4CF
FiF2tnPWP2mfc7Vl*tK8zynHq0aFwS7xyuUUORT5dlN4XEFfQoS52BHh7nFQw%24%24>
Bud Yerly
Custom Flight Creations
US Dealer.
----- Original Message -----
From: William McClellan <mailto:wilwood@earthlink.net>
Cc: Bud <mailto:budyerly@msn.com>
Sent: Thursday, May 13, 2010 12:01 PM
Subject: Fuselage skin distortion at fuel fill
I find only inconclusive information on the forum about fuselage skin
distortion that can develop around the fuel fill tube. I can not find
additional information. Would you steer me to the correct solution or
give me any revised procedure.
Thanks,
Bill McClellan
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