Hi Gilles,
I know it is good aero practice to have a gas tight FWL but on the Europa,
with rudder cables passing through it, it is actually impossible to achieve.
Also the external airflow from the engine area can attach to the lower
fuselage and enter the flap slots. The air then moves forward through the
tunnel and comes up through the control points. The flow is different
between Mono and Trigear but the end result is fuel leaks "under the bonnet"
can be detected in the cockpit.
Regards
Brian
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of GTH
Sent: 12 May 2015 08:24
Subject: Re: Europa-List: Smell of petrol in the cocpit just after takeoff
Le 11/05/2015 19:38, JohnFrance a crit :
>
> Hi All,
> During a flight yesterday I had a fairly strong smell of petrol in the
cabin just after take off and while in the climb, it lasted about 2 minutes.
>
> I recently removed the drip trays from under the carbs on the advice of
several people. Their view was, it's better to have a few drips catching
fire than a bigger volume that has been heated up.
John and all,
Please allow me to chime in.
- Considering the Rotax layout, no drip tray means some fuel *will* drip or
leak direct onto the superheated exhaust pipes. So, I'd say *do reinstall
the drip trays*. Whoever gave yout the advice you mentioned is not aware of
the necessity to drain them with a fire resistant hose to a safe place under
the airplane. No amount of fuel should be allowed to stand in the drip trays
themselves.
- The FWL should be gas tight, whatever the conditions under the cowl.
So even with carbs flooding, no fumes should enter the cockpit. I suggest
you perform a thorough check of the firewall, or at the very least do the
"lamp-under-the-cowl" night test.
FWIW,
Best regards
Gilles
http://contrails.free.fr
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