Hello,
I wonder what kind of practical size for a FUEL FILETR FUNNEL have proven
to be most suitable for the Europa? From your comments it appears more
practical to rather pre-filter mogas at the filling station into the clean
fuel containers rather than sticking a filter into the fuel fill opening
on the EUROPA SX style on the side.
More specifically, Aircraft Spruce has 3 models, small, middle and large
with 2.5,3.5 and 5 rpm throughput, but significant size differences. Which
one would you recommend? I am filling up my AC first time this week
Christoph Both
#223 Wolfville, Nova Scotia,Canada
On 13-09-01 8:21 AM, "Carl Pattinson" <carl@flyers.freeserve.co.uk> wrote:
><carl@flyers.freeserve.co.uk>
>
>Hi All,
>
>I am surprised that anyone ever gets blocked filters after the initial
>shakedown. I know it is difficult to clean out tanks after build but it's
>definitely worth pumping a few gallons of fuel through the system before
>assuming everything is clean.
>
>If you have dirty fuel in your tanks this is an issue that should be
>addressed first rather instead of relying on the fuel filters to do their
>job. I accept that some of us have less control over what we put in our
>tanks than others (ie: if you are purchasing fuel at the airfield pumps).
>
>In the early days I recall that clogged filters were an issue for some
>builders. The filters were becoming overwhelmed by large amounts of crud
>which should never have been there in the first place - I do not believe
>that changing the size of the filter mesh would address this particular
>issue.
>
>Personally I never liked the factory system and opted for a gascolator
>setup
>instead - nothing fancy like an Andair, just the cheap kit builders one
>available from LAS or Aircraft Spruce (I priced one at the LAA yesterday
>and
>they are selling for 60) . The beauty of the setup is that any large
>lumps
>of crud (or water) tend to settle in the bottom of the gascolator bowl and
>will be drained off when you do your do your daily fuel checks - very
>little
>muck reaches the filter mesh at the top of the bowl (this is a 120 micron
>screen).
>
>We are fortunate in that all our fuel is from cans which we insist on
>filtering through a fine mesh funnel and we have never found any signs of
>a
>clogged filter. It is worth noting that metal fuel cans generate their own
>debris as the internal paint on the cans tends to flake off and if not
>filtered would cause problems if not pre filtered.
>
>For those who have to rely on airfield based supplies if it should be
>possible to carry a filter sock (wire or nylon mesh) which could be
>dropped
>down the fuel filler opening to ensure the cleanliness of any external
>sources of fuel. This could even be a permanent installation.
>
>Additionally as a backup, a fuel pressure gauge which would give a visual
>warning of low pressure due to a filter blockage.
>
>Carl Pattinson
>G-LABS
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com
>[mailto:owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Pete Lawless
>Sent: 01 September 2013 11:08
>To: europa-list@matronics.com
>Subject: Europa-List: Fuel filters
>
>
>Hi John
>
>I have the original glass filters and am very happy with them. In the
>first
>few hours of a new Europa they do get blocked and mine needed cleaning
>every
>5 hours or so for the first 25 hours and on one occasion at about 10 hours
>caused fuel starvation on the climb out. Then less frequently cleaning
>until the tank settled down at about 100 hours. At 550 hours the filter
>now
>need a clean about every 50 hours.
>
>My filters are installed under the seats protected by a Perspex cover, as
>per the original Classic layout. I inspect them BEFORE EVERY FLIGHT. The
>beauty of the glass container is that you can see what is going on, all
>that
>is needed is to pull up the seat cushion and look. Cleaning is very easy
>you just change the filter screen for a new one and wipe the inside of the
>glass.
>
>I would be very reluctant to install a filter unit I could not inspect
>without taking it to bits.
>
>Pete
>Classic #109 Rotax 912UL
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com
>[mailto:owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of John Wighton
>Sent: 01 September 2013 09:23
>To: europa-list@matronics.com
>Subject: Europa-List: Re: Daily Mail report of father and daughter
>fatality
>
>
>The photos taken in 2002 of the crashed aircraft are shocking and
>hopefully
>not an indicator of the condition she was in at the time of the accident.
>But l have to say that if the level of neglect extended to the systems,
>especially the fuel system, the cause of the incident may easily have
>been a
>blocked filter. According to a close friend of David, whom l spoke to
>yesterday at the Rally, the accident occurred at full power in the climb
>out after refuelling. If so the classic case of power starvation due to a
>blocked filer is a possible cause. I note that the photos show the inline
>filter used is the standard glass tube variety. Blockage of this type of
>inline filter has caused many incidents and at least one written off
>Europa.
>
>Analysing this filter shows it uses a 22 micron sized mesh. This is way
>smaller than the 100 micron (largest) stipulated by Rotax. I had a
>stoppage
>due to a blocked primary filter (same type) a few years ago, this led to a
>hasty decent into Elstree using the reserve feed (thanks for the fire
>cover
>guys). The filter was partially blocked with translucent material. It
>ran
>on the ground but would not feed fuel to the goverened 5000 rpm of my
>AP332
>controller.
>
>Having thereafter spent a year in a constant state of fuel feed anxiety l
>changed them for Andair filters which have a 60 micron filter size. To
>date
>these have proven extremely reliable (100%).
>
>In 2012 l contacted Andy at Andair to ask if a version for 1/4in bore fuel
>lines could be made. He said it was quite easy, just a CNC program
>change,
>the filters would then have a push-on nipple type end and not require
>screw
>fit unions (as in my installation). Some discussion occurred with Andy
>Draper about the mod.
>
>Yesterday l checked with Andair, he had not got around to adapting the CNC
>code and hence nothing had occurred at LAA Engineering.
>
>If it turns out that the cause of the stoppage on GBXS was filter related
>(this is speculative but informed on my part) we should support some
>action
>which will lead to changes in the use of these standard glass tube
>filters.
>A possibility for Europas could be a new filter, perhaps the Andair
>version.
>
>
>I shall write to the LAA with my concerns over the continued use of the
>glass tube, 22. Micron filters. If any Europa flyer, or other aircraft
>operator with the same filter type, can supply information regarding the
>use
>of these filters it may assist in deciding which way to go. Information
>such as frequency of inspection, frequency of cleaning, stoppage or
>partial
>blockage info, leaks, other issues will br gratefully received and treated
>in confidence. Likewise any info showing satisfactory in service history
>is
>also welcome. Please post info or email direct to me.
>John(dot)wighton@ultraflight.net
>
>John Wighton
>Chief of Stress
>Pilatus Aircraft
>
>--------
>John Wighton
>Europa XS trigear G-IPOD
>
>
>Read this topic online here:
>
>http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=407837#407837
>
>
>--
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